Eight Villages

Anne didn't have jet lag. Elisabeth got her a doctor's appointment and the doctor had us take her to the hospital where she was quickly admitted. Big doses of antibiotics got her well enough to avoid the surgery they first thought would be needed. She appreciated the care she received from socialized medicine ... and the price tag for two days in the hospital was minimal, another benefit.

She was now feeling better so Elisabeth and I plotted a course and off we went for an afternoon drive.


As we approached Bray, I saw this structure from the road and wondered what it could be. We stopped for a closer look, but we still have no idea of its purpose.
Above is the view of where our road was headed...and below is more of Bray...

After Bray came Chazelle.

Many houses hug the roads. This one is lucky enough to have a narrow walkway.

Other homes have small front yards. No matter what, there will be flowers!

It has been so hot that in places the road tar gets sticky.

The church in Chazelle mixes old stones with newer construction...

Anne was also exploring with her camera.

The house across from the church had a shaded veranda that felt welcoming

I turned my attention back to the church and was reminded that even in rural communities there is always something of interest ready to happen...

 ...until we are no longer interested.

After leaving Chazelle, we found a rather small lavoir in Bonnay.

The miniaturists are on vacation so we didn't even drive by their place, but I did like this entrance...

We traveled on to Saint Ythaire. 

And through Bierre...

...then into Sigy le Chatel. We happened to see Philippe along the road. Knowing that his workshop was closed, I got out of the car to say goodby. He had picked up ear infections from swimming while on his family vacation. I was glad to see him one last time. Elisabeth's car then climbed the hill to see the ruins of the old castle. Surprise! There were donkeys grazing there.

Another surprise was to see that my favorite house across the road was being repaired.

The black donkey would only appear when my iPad wasn't ready to take a picture.

 It was time to leave. We crossed the Guye River on our way to the main road.

We soon reached Joncy. Pain is not something to be avoided in France...pain is yummy...bread.

More of Joncy before we climbed the hill to Mont St Vincent.

The church at Mont St Vincent looks longer on the outside than within because of the entrance area.

Stepping out of the church, the first gravestone had me doing a double-take and then a chuckle...

 Beyond the church is a grassy hill overlooking the valley.

 I don't know if the folks in the distance were doing yoga or some kind of meditation...

 We gathered at the picnic table.

We enjoyed the shade and a breeze. Elisabeth remembered a cafe in the village and was sure she could find it.

Time to find that cafe.

We found the place, then Elisabeth got sidetracked. 

 Nothing of great interest over there so back to the cafe.

Anne and I ordered two scoops of strawberry ice cream, but got one scoop of strawberry and one scoop of vanilla. The mistake was wonderful! Best vanilla we've ever had.

The couple next to us were trying to place an order. Finally the fellow said, "Glace is ice!" We laughed at suddenly hearing English. It turned out that they were Dutch and wanting ice cubes for his soda and now I know that ice cubes are glacons. On the way home we found one more lavoir...