Day 1635 (Monday) 29th November 2021

It was a lovely day again but boy it gets cold when the sun goes down. 

Huw went up to the villa to make sure that it’s all in shape and he’s going again tomorrow to do some gardening in the sunshine. 

He took these beautiful photos

Eduard sent me a  text last night after I went to bed asking me to send the materials to his daughter’s address and that Olga was too busy with the house so it was just one hour this morning. He has to pay for two because it was so last minute. For once he didn’t mention dependent prepositions and we looked at the vocabulary about the economy that I had found for him.

Badger sat in the sun throughout the lesson.

  

I think he loves the sun as much as we do

Look at the colour of that sky…marvellous

I did yet more prep for this week and I also had to do my pay claims, when Huw came home he helped with the scanning and my tax. All three schools require a lot of paperwork and invoices and it’s very time consuming but needs must. 

Huw had also been to the restaurant where we hope to be having our New Year’s Day lunch and the owner Flo said that he will think about it and tell us this week. I sent our group a WhatsApp message and so far we have 23 people. Flo doesn’t usually open on New Year’s Day so there has to be enough people to justify him opening – let’s hope 23 is enough.

The sunset this evening was stunning

Here are the next lot of  places recommended to visit in France …

4. Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy

Mont Saint-Michel is a highlight of the Normandy region, a pastoral landscape of apple orchards, woodlands, and cow pastures. This unmissable tourist attraction ranks number one on the long list of Normandy travel destinations, which includes stellar sights such as historic castles and picture-perfect towns.

Built between the 11thand 13th centuries, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in France. The UNESCO-listed abbey is perched on the hilltop of an islet in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel and is considered a marvel of Gothic architecture.

The abbey church was an important medieval pilgrimage site on the "Way of Saint James" route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Modern-day pilgrims still make the journey here, crossing the Bay of Saint-Michel by foot at low tide.

Visiting Mont Saint-Michel is a spirit-lifting experience. Tourists may attend religious services, concerts and cultural events at this sublime historic abbey.

5. The Châteaux of the Loire Valley

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

Like the scene of a fairy tale, magnificent castles are scattered throughout the densely forested landscape of the Loire Valley. Stretching for 280 kilometres, from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire in Anjou, the Loire Valley is the largest UNESCO-listed site in France.

The region boasts an incredibly rich cultural heritage. During the 15th and 16th centuries, France's kings built sumptuous country retreats here purely for entertainment and enjoyment.

Extravagant châteaux, such as the grandiose Château de Chambord and the emblematic Château de Chenonceau, offer insight into the opulence of the Renaissance-era French court.

French nobles and elites also built stately manor houses, such as the majestic Château of Cheverny and the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau in an idyllic setting with a water-filled moat.

For families with kids, the Mini-Châteaux Park in Amboise is a marvellous destination. Set in two hectares of woodlands, the amusement park features more than 40 replicas of Loire châteaux built on a 1/25 scale. Children love exploring the kid-sized castles designed with authentic details.

6. Reims & its Magnificent Gothic Cathedral

Reims Cathedral

Reims is justifiably placed among France's list of "Villes d'Art et d'Histoire" ("Cities of Art and History"). Of the town's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most renowned is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, where French kings were crowned. The most celebrated event was when Joan of Arc escorted Charles VII to the cathedral in July of 1429 for his coronation as king.

Built in the 13th century, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims is a gem of High Gothic architecture. The dazzling exterior features a profusion of flying buttresses and sculpted angels, while the spacious interior has a solemn ambience of spirituality.

Among the city's top attractions, other UNESCO-listed landmarks include the Palais du Tau, a 17th-century Archbishops' Palace, and the 11th-century Basilique Saint-Rémi.

And here is the food list of words beginning with B

B

Baguette – The culinary symbol of France, a long bread loaf

Baba au rhum – Sponge cake (often soaked in rum)

Babeurre – Buttermilk

Badiane – Star anise

Banane – Banana

Bar – Sea bass

Barbue – Brill (some type of fish)

Basilic – Basil

Baudroie – Monkfish

Bavette – Flank steak

Beaufort – Cow cheese from the French Alps

Beignet – Doughnut

Betterave – Beetroot

Beurre – Butter

Bien cuit – Well done.

Bière – Beer

Bigorneau – Periwinkle

Blanc-manger – Almond milk-based pudding

Blanquette – Creamy veal stew

Blé – Wheat

Boeuf – Beef

Boeuf bourguignon – Beef stewed in red wine

Bolet – Boletus mushrooms

Bonbon – Sweet 

Bouchon – Cork

Boudin antillais – Spicy blood sausage

Boudin blanc – White blood sausage

Boudin noir – Blood pudding

Bouillabaisse – Fish and seafood soup

Brandade de morue – Salted cod mashed with olive oil and milk

Bresaola – Air-dried Italian beef

Brick – Wheat dough used in North African cuisine

Brioche – Sweet pastry

Brochet – Pike

Brousse – Cheese from Provence

Brugnon – Nectarine