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friendly faces in foreign places

chateau de fontainebleau

I am so fortunate. I move halfway across the world and yet again, one of my best friends has come to visit and not just her but her husband and daughter too! As luck would have it we were expecting workmen to visit just days before their arrival to replace the doors and windows after being broken into back in January. Naturally, at their arrival the house was feeling a bit upside down and under a layer of plaster but if there’s one thing you don’t have to worry about with close friends, it’s the state of house, and for this, I am very thankful!

I wasn’t quite sure how the week would turn out or what we would do… I worry sometimes that the country life won’t be for everyone and they might feel like they’re missing out on the quintessential “Paris experience.”  Couple the fact that there was a gas strike (I stopped at 3 gas stations before finding any to fill up on my way to the airport!) and soon to be train strike… It was looking like this could potentially be disastrous and that we’d be forced to stay in the country but then there was the rain so maybe we’d all just suffer from cabin fever in the house… Of course this was all unfounded worry and it turned out just fine. We encountered a little rain, a lot of humidity and even some sun! In fact I think we had some great moments and experiences that most would miss on their trip to France. We toured around the Château de Fontainebleau as well as the forêt and they got to see the great rock formations that even photos never quite do justice to. There was the obligatory ride on the carousel, sailing boats in the jardin de Luxembourg, lots of picnicking, making croque madames, eating of old-timey apple beignets and the epitome of French culture – hunting, horse and dog show (chasse a courre) complete with horn competition. The song is still a little stuck in my head even now… and I’m sure they would agree! It was a great week and I’m so glad they were able to come. I might be far away but it’s nice to know that a little pond won’t stop friends from visiting.

la halle milly la foretfirst croissant milly la foretforet de fontainebleauforet de fontainebleaubarbizoncroque madameschateau de fontainebleauchateau de fontainebleauchateau de fontainebleauchateau de fontainebleauchateau de fontainebleaugare de lyonnotre dame de parisjardin de luxembourgjoie jardin de luxembourgjardin de luxembourg voiliercarousel fontainebeaucarousel fontainebeau

samois sur seinechateau de fontainebleaubeignetschasse a courregrand parquet fontainebleaugrand parquet de fontainebleaugrand parquet fontainebleaugrand parquet fontainebleaupolo grand parquet fontainebleauchasse a courrechasse a courre fontainebleau

5 comments
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  • SusanJune 10, 2016 - 19:14

    Great photos! Especially love the kitchen shot of the 3 cooks and Gracie reading the mapReplyCancel

    • Christina (Vine and the Olive)June 12, 2016 - 19:23

      It was all hands on deck. Sadly not everyone was photographed but I think it’s safe to say we’re all fans of the croque madame and it’s a great weekend lunchReplyCancel

  • CarolynJune 11, 2016 - 20:14

    You are the best photographer!!!ReplyCancel

    • Christina (Vine and the Olive)June 12, 2016 - 19:20

      Thanks Carolyn!ReplyCancel

  • […] unfortunately those are the days I never seem to have my camera on me (but I do have some photos here from a couple years ago when we stumbled upon a local festival, complete with trumpet competitions, […]ReplyCancel

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