Day 2: Pompidou, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur

We all got up early for Melanie and Andrew's flight back to Toronto. Seamus and I helped them get on the right train to the airport and we got off at Chatelet Les Halles to go see the Pompidou. It was a cool, quiet Sunday morning and Seamus and I were virtually alone. Here's Seamus in the Place Igor Stravinsky



We went for coffee and smoothies before Pompidou opened. I searched in vain for a free wi-fi signal. Seamus played Plants vs. Zombies. And then we returned to Pompidou where Seamus performed his version of the Scream...


"I don't like Museums!"

You see Sacre Coeur in the distance. That night Seamus and I climbed the hill at Montmartre and here is the evidence. Seamus had to be bribed with a chocolate crepe.



We also went to Notre Dame (I know, two churches on a Sunday...what are the odds) where Seamus again exercised his love of all things occult and gothic by photographing the gargoyles...

Location:Paris

Luxembourg Raiders

Our one night as a family in Paris. Seamus and Andrew played with the sailboats in the Jardin de Luxembourg. No surprise, Seamus picked the pirate ship, and Andrew picked the boat with a sun on it, that reminded him of Argentina....

Location:Paris

Sunflowers through the eyes of the children

We took a walk with the children and they each took a picture of a sunflower in the field, with no assistance from Melanie or me. Here they are:

Hugo





Seamus:





Andrew:





Greta:

Location:Combeyrol

Brantome Canoe Expedition

Brantome is referred to as the Venice of the Perigord. It is really an island surrounded by the Dronne river and a canal offshoot of that river. We rented canoes and did two laps around the town. Unfortunately, Andrew was too young and couldn't come. He was very upset and Melanie had to appease him with a giant ice cream cone and two rides on a carousel. The rest of us set out on two canoes. The one tricky bit was getting over the embankment into the lower level of the river, for which we have photographic evidence below:





We got stuck the first time, but by getting the right speed and balance, we managed to get over (without tipping!) and glide the rest of the way on a very civilized journey:











Andrew was happy in the end:

Location:Brantome

Perigueux crazy face competition

Seamus:



Zombie Hugo:





Melting Andrew (it was very hot):





And the winner? Cross-eyed Greta:





After the contest, we had a lovely lunch in the old square in Perigueux, serenaded by a French accordion player:





And then a walk through the narrow, cobblestone streets:

Location:Perigueux

Le Picnic

Seamus waiting patiently in the the Jumilihac town square for the picnic preparations to finish.






Picnicking and fishing preparations riverside in the shadow of the chateau.



Good form, but, alas, no fish...


Andrew celebrates with his mouth wide open, again.

Location:Jumilihac

La Campagne

The iPad was just brought back from death and so we've missed a few days. We arrived in Combeyrol on Saturday in time for dinner after a lengthy drive down from Paris. Andrew threw once before we left and then again in the car just as we were navigating our way around Paris. He used a plastic bag very effectively, and so were able to continue on. There were several missed turns and we had a special moment at an Esso station just off the A10, when our brand new Volvo crossover wouldn't start. It was pouring rain and we made a couple trips into the station to ask for help. The man at the station was very helpful and called a mechanic through some bizarre French government agency. Shortly after that I started the car. The man looked at me like I was some kind of idiot, and rightly so. There was also a bizarre cafe au lait buying incident, which will not be discussed.

Since we've arrived, we've spent several delightful days in the French countryside, drinking wine, eating cheese, swimming, touring markets and generally enjoying ourselves. Pictures of the boys and their misadventures with their British friends will follow.

Location:Combeyrol, France