Wow, I’ve just been looking back at all the Autumn images and videos I have to upload. I thought I’d been doing nothing, but it turns out I’ve got quite a lot of catching up to do. Dear, little audience of followers, thank you for your patience x.
Autumn had not quite arrived before we left for our travels to the UK. It was a bit of a mad rush during a sunny spell to get the water barrier sheet onto the roof. After much deliberation, we decided that we didn’t like any of the wood fitted on the inside of the barn so we’re stripping it off to reveal the slate only. The water barrier is just a temporary covering to keep the roof dry while we work during sunny intervals. Cue the driving rain, wind, and storms…
The electricity went off for a couple of days intermittently while the power lines were fixed after an almighty lightning storm. As the thunder rumbled in we were enjoying a very convivial autumn evening meal with friends. Yes, a real French person and his English wife prepared some amazing traditional food for us. It was a taste sensation. I could go on and on about the food but I don’t want to bore you. Not just French traditional food I might add. A mix of German/French from the Alsace region. A starter of mini choux pastries with perfect bitesize fillings was the perfect amuse-bouche. One cheese, one prawn, and one meat. Followed by Sauerkraut – steeped in a cool dark cellar pot for several months in salt. This was cooked and served with a selection of sausages and seasonal veg. Desert was a beautiful raspberry tart with a frangipane base.
The evening went well and even our French improved or that could have been the warming glow of food and wine. As the thunder got closer we said our farewells and set out on the short drive home. With hindsight, this was a poorly timed exit as the full force of the storm hit. Lightning was all around us in our metal box with rubber wheels (thank goodness). Trees flailing wildly in the wind, branches, and debris scattered and blowing onto the road. Then just as we arrived home and stepped out of the car the heavens opened. We took just ten steps to our front door drenched in rain and soaked through to the skin. An exciting drive not to be repeated in the little yellow Fiat!!! Thankfully the roof sheeting stayed in place.
October 2nd was our son’s 21st birthday. It was a wonderful celebration with family in Sheffield. I also had time to meet up with my lovely friends in Buxton who I also miss especially as we haven’t had the opportunity to visit during travel restrictions.
Lots of good times during our travels including the fabulous experience of traveling on public transport. We literally took the train from our closest city Clermont Ferrand and off we went to Paris. We had a few hours to spare so we enjoyed a tasty meal for two in the center of Paris. With our ‘pass sanitaire’ we were able to be seated outside in the glorious sunshine. The food was wonderful. A creamed mushroom starter, salmon for main, and a delightful trio of fruit sorbet for dessert. Yumilicious. We had to switch seats after the main course to prevent too much sun to the face!
I didn’t take many pictures and I promise next time to remember. I know you’ll be interested in the sights of the city. The little square where we sat for lunch was on the right bank of the Seine just past the Isle de Paris. Delightful x.
We took the Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras where our favorite restaurant the Gilbert Scott (named after the St Pancras architect) where chef Marcus Wareing resides. Having stuffed ourselves full in Paris, dinner was not an option. Although we recently found out that the restaurant had closed in May 2021. You can now try out ‘Marcus’ his new place in Knightsbridge if you are in need of a great luxury treat.
We alighted the Eurostar for a quick shopping opportunity in the beautiful architecture of the station. Then hopped onto our connecting train directly to the North and Sheffield bound. We settled in for a read and a well-earned snooze. The northern accent sounds were all of a sudden familiar as we reached my home stomping ground. With the reassuring thud of a black cab door, we were delivered swiftly to our superbly comfortable hotel. We took our usual room with a huge bathtub and woodland views. Bliss. I can recommend the train journey. It was relatively cheap, while luxuriously comfortable and peacefully quiet in France, although extortionately expensive, packed to bursting, and fairly uncomfortable in England.
Meeting up with everyone… Cake and family were on the agenda because being 21 is a special coming-of-age kind of birthday. My little boy is all grown up but never too old for a cuddle from his old Mum and Dad. We invited everyone to a lovely family meal which went down a treat. You can probably tell we like our food a lot!
Autumn had not quite arrived before we left for our travels to the UK. It was a bit of a mad rush during a sunny spell to get the water barrier sheeting onto the roof. After much deliberation, we decided that we didn’t like any of the wood finish on the inside of the barn so we’re stipping off what Simon fitted to reveal the slate only. The water barrier is just a temporary covering to keep the roof dry while we work during sunny intervals. Cue more driving rain, wind, and storms…
We returned to France again by train which proved to be a very relaxing way to travel. We got back on time to our car awaiting our arrival in a secure parking area. Simon was feeling tired and had a sore throat. Little did we know that this fatigue was to develop into a raging snotty cold (Not COVID-19) that knocked us both out for almost three weeks aaachooooo!
Thankfully we started feeling better as family guests arrived to enjoy all that Le Chassaing in Autumn has to offer. We had lots of fun clearing the garden. Simon’s sister Katherine and her husband Kevin helped us to radically trim the holly hedge. We uncovered the back garden well, pump, and trough once again. Hopefully this time we’ll win against the encroaching brambles. The garden feels like it has doubled in size and we can now see the pretty house and barn that sits almost in our garden. Perhaps Simon’s other Sister Louise will one day get to view and potentially buy the house in our garden? Who knows?
Autumn Picture Gallery
Lots happening this Autumn, the kitchen and lounge are moving towards finishing touches. We do have a video that I’m currently editing and will launch in the coming weeks. I’ll add it to this post soon.
Happy eating, feed up for wintertime xxxx
And finally, we learn how to amuse ourselves in the countryside.
