farewell mountains

from the mountains to the sea and back again in one weekend...
pascal and i droved the snaking trail down to annecy, caught the highspeed train to paris, then a high speed rental car to brittany to go to a wedding. the flat green countryside flew past, spring's beauty having been swept aside for the early summer. the wedding's reception was held in an incredible castle dating from (not sure of date) way back. the grounds, lush with rhododendrons of every hue and greeny galore, overlooked a pretty lake. all very romantic.
the last few days in the mountains didn't disappoint either: it snowed!!! would you believe it! while the rest of the country is basking in semi-tropical heat and peeling off clothing left and right my folks (who are visiting) were very happy to have had that extra 15kg of warm clothing in their luggage.
so, penultimately (we've left stuff stored in val so we'll have to go back), we decended the valley again, singing our farewell to the snow and marmottes and travelled down to the relatively flatlands (only 445m) to a crazy medievil town called annecy. and what a little gem. snuggled up beside a lake with a castle perched upon a hill, its little cobbled alleys and crystal clear canals make this town a pleasure to shop in.... (visiting with folks: dad and pascal do boys things- as in not shopping, while mum and i do the other.)
all pleasantly punctuated by french culture: the aperitif.
now french living isn't all just about berets, bicycles, garlic and kissing cheeks left and right. they're not only known for their culinary wonders like frogs legs and duck. it's all about how you take your meal. and with the right alcohol. an aperitif is usually some strong alcohol (like pernod) taken before your meal, and it's not unheard of to be invited somewhere purely for the aperitif. (usually taken with a snack). then of course it is essential that your meal (when you get round to it) is accompanied by the right wine. imperative.
anyway, that's part of the next lesson.
so we're off to chamonix tomorrow to pick up my bro and his girlfriend and then we're heading to prague for a family holdiday (more shopping and local cultural exchanges)
xxxxx
b