THEY COME AND THEY GO

April 27-May 1, 2007

After our full day at Avignon we stayed home the next day.  In the afternoon Don, Susie and Marilyn took a hike up the hill in back of the house and made it all the way up to the cross and the old ruins.

Saturday we ladies went into Aubagne again for the farmer’s market.  It was a bustling place with lots of beautiful flowers and plants for sale, along with the fishmonger, cheese, sausage, olives and beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables.

In the afternoon my brother, Dave arrived and I picked him up at the train station.   Dave had been in Nice for an international Nuclear Energy conference and he was able to stay with us for a few days before going to Paris to work on an experiment.

On the way home from the train station a fellow ran into the back of the car as I stopped to let a little old lady get across the street.  We exchanged insurance info and names and I hope that Philippe is able to work things out with the fellow.

That afternoon we just spent some time chatting and catching up with each other.  Dave joked that we see more of each other in France than we do in the US.

Sunday the Myrah girls finished their packing and cleaning and off they went to the train station to catch the train to Paris, where they will spend a week before heading back to California.  It was so much fun to have them and I hope they enjoyed their stay too.

The next day Don, Dave and I went to Cassis where we hiked along the Calanques, enjoying the views of the Mediterranean, watching the rock climbers and sun bathers.

May 1^st already!  It is a holiday here in France—Labor Day--and it is a custom to buy Muguets (Lily of the Valley) and pass them out to honor the workers.  Every corner has a vendor with a little table and a selection of Muguets.  The flower shops are doing a bang-up business selling fancier arrangements of colorful flowers, but always with the required muguet included.

Dave packed up and we took him to the train station and then returned to the house to clean up and prepare it for the Canourgoues family to return.  We took two cars to the airport to pick them all up in the afternoon.  They seemed energetic and in good spirits when we met at the airport.  There was no problem to recognize each other.

Since they seemed to not be too wiped out after their long trip, Don and I decided to stay and visit.  We had some champagne and learned all about their stay in California, and their trip to the Grand Canyon.   I had prepared a meal for them, so we all ate it as we visited, and then off to bed.  In the morning Don and I packed up the car and headed out for our next exchange in Fitou.