Take a chance… You never know where it will take you… Livonne

I woke up to the sound of a cuckoo outside the window somewhere but I was feeling so depressed. I was dreaming that the residency was over and I’d left the chateau and hadn’t said goodbye to anyone. Then I realised I was still in bed here and felt a bit better. When I got up and looking out the window as I do everyday here, I saw blue skies. Still dramatic but blue. Heading downstairs I made a cup of tea and sat in the quiet kitchen. Once David got back with the boulangerie goodies, everyone else had started to rise too and soon the kitchen was buzzing with my fellow artists. It’s one of my favourite times of day when we are all hanging out in the kitchen, chatting over cuppas and breakfast.

David and Gary headed out early this morning, so the rest of us just pottered around. I wanted to take a few random shots of people at work, so I went and pestered everyone while they were working. I also did 2 photoshoots this morning, this time Beth and Shohreh. I will edit them soon and introduce you to the talented artists and fantastic human beings i spend my days with.

We were heading into Les Mans at 2, so it was one of those days where we just chilled until it was time to go. Most everyone was still working, but not with the usual intensity. We all knew we were heading out for the afternoon and evening so were already in a bit of go slow mode. So when 2 o’clock hit, we were ready to head off into Les Mans.

The plan was to have a look around then at dinner time, go to a restaurant for dinner. Les Mans is about a 45 minute drive from the chateau, so by the time we got in, some of us were beginning to fade with the 3pm fade. We wandered into a little cafe/bar and went upstairs to have refreshments. There were some lovely chartreuse lounges up there (and chartreuse is Monica’s favourite colour) but they were sitting up on a pile of books to make them higher. It was so quirky so we had to sit there. Then came time to order.

Oh boy! Whilst there was a QR code on the table to order, it just gave you a wish list, so we couldn’t find how to order, then the waitress came up to us to take our orders. She couldn’t speak English, we couldn’t speak French. This could be fun. Anyway, we showed her our wishlists on the website, but it still didn’t help as we were reading the English translation and she needed the French.

The absolute sweetheart translated all our order on her phone with a translation app. She also had to keep running up and down the stairs to see if they still had what we’d ordered. She was so friendly and patient with us, I could have hugged her. Anyway, finally all ordered we sat and waited for it all to arrive. When she’d brought the cakes to us, there was some confusion over whose cake was whose. But it got settled eventually and we had a lovely afternoon tea.

Then a few went shopping and a few just hung out around where we’d been while Tania, Cecile and I went to Les Mans cathedral for a look around. The cathedral was built between 1100 and 1500 AD and is built in the classic gothic style. Oh my, what an imposing site. We had seen her before as it is the backdrop to the market we went to last week but getting up close and personal when there were no markets to distract was a different kettle of fish.

We walked in and there was music playing and people, again, going about their business of worshipping. We were of course respectful of their right to worship uninterrupted so we were quiet just walking around looking and taking some pictures. It is a gorgeous cathedral. There were candles burning everywhere for Pope Francis who died just yesterday. After we’d finished there, we made our way back to where we were all going to catch up at a pub in the same square.

When we got there Monica and Beth were already there. We moved inside and ordered a bottle of prosecco and within a few minutes, David had turned up too. We relished our drink and then Shohreh and Cate said they were heading to the restaurant, so we all left and joined them .. On the way to the restaurant there was a carousel. I love carousels so stood and took a few photos.

Once inside our meal destination, we ordered drinks and looked at the menu. David ordered some entrees to share and then we chose our meals. Mine tonight was a steak with roasted small potatoes and the most delicious bernaise sauce I have ever tasted. It’s like I’d never eaten it before.. I just wanted to bury my head in it and devour it. Hell, I would have swum in that. I have had Bernaise before but this was next level. It must have been good as I couldn’t stop mentioning it to everyone lol. Everyone’s meal was fantastic. David ordered a rum Baba and it was brought flaming to the table.

Just as we were ready to leave, Beth hurt her knee stepping out of the restaurant and could barely walk. We helped her to the carpark and we drove home almost in a food coma and worried about Beth. Once we were home, we helped her to bed and all headed off ourselves. And that is where you find me.. Sitting up in bed writing this. It’s quite late here but I wanted to get it all done before I go to sleep which is now imminently closer. Again, the photos attached are just from the phone as I won’t edit the ones on the camera till i get home. So until tomorrow….

Happy exploring… Livvy xxx