So many things to see...

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Bonjour!

We’re back in France once more! First, dinner last night … to catch up. We made a reservation at the ONLY place in Chambons, a supposedly well-renown pizzeria – all of a 45 second walk from the B&B. Arrived promptly at 7:30 and were seated in a very nice, albeit rustic room. We both ordered bresaola with rocket lettuce and parmesan to start with; it was FABULOUS; possibly the best bresaola salad I’ve ever had! That was followed by pizza – plain “Marguerita” for Robert, with melanzane (egg plant) for me. Very, very good – but the salad was better! For dessert, I had profiteroles (3 of them) covered by chocolate sauce – YUM! Staggered back to the B&B for a very good night’s sleep!

Up about 7 and showered, dressed and repacked by 8, when we went down for breakfast. Breads, cereals and juice, like before. Paid Kent, said good bye; promised to return! And headed out the door by about 8:30 a.m.

Absolutely marvelous drive – hours of it! First, back through Sestriere toward Briancon, where we crossed back into France. To say that we took little, tiny roads is perhaps an understatement! We took a very circuitous route that led us first toward Gap, then followed a HUGE lake I’d never heard of before (Lac de Serra Poncon) and finally headed to Digne les Bains. (Editor’s note here: As we were coming into Digne, we saw a “Laverie Automatique” sign – and it was OPEN! A Laundromat open on SUNDAY! How could I NOT stop?? … but I didn’t…) (Editor's note number 2: VERY curvy, windy roads -- Mom, you would have HATED it!) We did stop in Digne, however, and found an open brasserie – Le Grand Café! – both of us were hungry, and had Entrecote (steak) with frites and salade. Very good, actually – and I re-discovered how much I like French mustard (Amora) with French fries!

Back in the car, and headed first toward Grasse, and then, finally, to Vence, where our hotel, Le Floreal, is located, about 3:30 p.m. Our room wasn’t quite ready, so we had a glass of local white wine as we waited. People here VERY nice! Room 107 (on the American 2nd floor) has a very nice king-size bed with a balcony overlooking the garden and the pool. Also, AIR CONDITIONING, which comes in handy, as well as free wi-fi! Always a plus!

Settled in, and then decided to see if we could find a laverie automatique of our very own – and we did! I always think about doing laundry first-thing in the morning, which invariably takes up half a day! But R suggested doing laundry then, and it was a GREAT idea! Walked about 6 minutes from the hotel (after one false start…teach me to listen to directions!) and found it. Not great; we’ve certainly seen better/cleaner places, but nobody was there, and the machines were ready to go. So…did laundry, and now can forget about it for another week or so!! YEA!! Back to the hotel about 6:30, and a little rest before heading out to look for dinner.

So…Sunday night (when most places are closed), strange city, in the dark, and it’s starting to rain…lovely! R suggested using Emily (our GPS), so, as we were feeling pasta-ish, he asked for an Italian restaurant…oh my! Not sure what route she was following, but we drove (again, in the dark and the rain) ALL over Hell and half of Georgia, looking for someplace! Kept missing turns; she kept recalculating – and it seemed like the closer we’d get, the farther away we were according to the GPS! She finally took us to a town called Cagnes sur Mer – where, guess what?! An Italian restaurant! (Not, by the way, the one she was looking for…)

Very, very nice place – called Zio’s. R started with a mixed salad, and I started with an ensalada caprese – one of the BEST salads I’ve ever had! (Had pesto in it, which may explain it…) The R had ravioli with Arrabiata (spicy) sauce. I had spaghetti bolognaise. Both of us were VERY happy!

Rolled out into the rainy night, and magically, it took us less than HALF the time to get home than it had taken to get there! Who knew?!

Are now settled back into our room. Patio door open, and it’s lovely and cool out! Had planned to find the Truphee d’August a La Turbie tomorrow, but of course, being a Monday, it’s CLOSED! So! Will have to figure out a Plan B – but later….

Night to all!
Much love,
m