Week 8 - Nov. 19-25/26

 This week is mostly about having Anthony and Chelsea,
so it will end with them leaving on Saturday, November 26.

Saturday, November 19

Today we make the hour drive to Pamier.

We want to see a new city and to see Rivel Artists 

Laurence Bourgeois and Marela Vasile

LAURENCE BOURGEOIS

this show is about gold

Love these

Bought this one

These are "mixed-media prints"...
Chine Collé, engraving, embossing, fused glass painting and calligraphy

Amazing print techniques, beautifully done.

Print panels
Engravings, watercolor and calligraphy

MARELA VASILE

Beautiful images of the Pyrenees with the gold leaf 
hinting at what lies within the landscape 

We were surprised at the city of Pamiers.

A lovely place of picturesque shops and galleries.

An hour's drive of beautiful skies and autumn trees

Sunday, November 20

I finish the weekly post for the blog.

Then we visit Arlette and Robert Brown
at their renovation in Chalabre

We hook up the car at the charger

Now we walk down the hill
Robert (Mr. Brown) lets us in.

We are taken to the top level...

A view from the front window
of the top level

The entrance to
the bathroom

Looking towards the sitting area of the room.

Robert and Arlette

New Friends!

We go around to the gite for some light snacks and wine.

Monday, November 21

After an eventful weekend,
we go to Limoux to pick up Chelsea and Anthony...

but first we pick up bread from Marie Blachere

Now the Gare de Limoux for the KIDS!

Checking to see
if the train is here

 

They made it!

After settling in, we go to Moulin de L'Eveque

We toast to a fun week together!

Menu de Jour for Susie
Pork chop, quinoa and squash

John and Anthony have
Paella

Chelsea has an American Burger

Warming up the house

After naps and showers we have a charcuterie

Now to bed after an hour or two of catching up.

Tuesday, November 22

Wash day for A & C
Can you tell the kids have arrived?

Settling in at Ave. Ste. Cécile

Chalabre for shopping and the Sports Bar

The bakery with Chelsea

We then meet the guys...

Chocolat Chaud avec Bailey's

Wednesday, November 23

Walk to St. Cécile & the graveyard

5 Crowns

...and the Kings go WILD!

Watching episodes of "Love is Blind"

Good night - Bonne Nuit!

Thursday, November 24 - Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Want to go to Privert to look at the Chateau...
Did some wash, but before we could go to Puivert,
the lights went out - too many heaters & appliances going at once. 
No Privert Castle today, so...

John takes the kids up the hill.

While waiting for the electrician 

we play 5 Crowns, it's gotten dark.

We have reservations at Dorival in Puivert at 6:30 pm.
Electrician hasn't come yet, so John stays home.

Happy Thanksgiving Toast! Santé

Starter
Veggie Tempera

Canard Canneloni
in veggie soup 

 

Veggie plate with frites

Steak, Frites and veggies

 Yummy desserts!

Chocolate Mouse with berry sorbet

Hazelnut brownie
with Vanilla Ice cream

   

Of course, all this would sound better if it were

in French, but I can't do that...yet.

Friday, November 25

Into Chalabre to charge the car and long lunch at Hotel de France.

First, mussels to share

We ordered Moules to share for a starter 

then we each got the Menu de Jour

- mimosa eggs (deviled eggs?)

-salmon pasta

-cheese

-dessert/some kind of white mousse
with a creamy fruit sauce
- tea and coffee crema

Salmon pasta

A walk around Chalabre before the car is fully charged

Then to Puivert to see the view and a look at the Castle/Chateau

The castle is closed from November 11 to December 20. 

Looking at the valley

Back at home.
It's been a full day

Our last meal together here in Rivel

Pizza and roasted broccoli
and wine, of course.

Saturday, November 26

Limoux for the send off.

Pack up the car

 

We made it to
Gare de Limoux

 

Waiting for
the train

Oops, train problems, so we load up them on the bus

Adieu

It was fun showing that we could have fun doing nothing. 

They seemed to have enjoyed themselves.

Before we leave Limoux we go to the wine shop and a gift shop.

We buy some wine and a something for John.

We head back to Rivel via Mirepoix
to check out the Laundry Machines.
The chargers have been removed,

I guess we won't be going there to do the sheets

and charge the car.

On the road for home...

Snow caps on the Pyrenees
What a way to end the day!

---

Next week are our last days here in Rivel.

So it's time to be saying good bye and thank you
to friends around the area.