One Frenchman asked another, "Who were the Englishmen in the semi finals of the World Cup?"
His friend replied, " They were the referees."
French fact
There are chain supermarkets in Paris in every neighbourhood, but there are still traditional bakeries, cheese shops and butchers everywhere. Even if the French don't shop traditionally all the time, they know how to!
Us
We have been busy visiting different places. We have been into the mountains and across to Arles (about 600 kms) twice. We have also had the chance to visit people and places new and old.
Food has been a constant joy. Amazingly Robin has lost 6 kilos. Considering the amount of bread, cheese and food he has been eating it seems impossible.
Of course we ate together when all the family arrived. Here we ate at the campsite, but unfortunately Lexie was unwell and Meg was with her.
How the waitress managed to get the order correct was amazing. We didn't manage to finish the wine!!
Below is breakfast at a boulangerie. Coffee (see Aileen's hand) and a croissant - 1.80 euro.
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| Breakfast: coffee and a croissant/pain au chocolate 1.80 euro |
When we travelled to Arles we stopped at Carcassonne. This is an amazing double walled city, very famous for a dish called Cassoulet. Of course you can get the recipe from the net but I'll give you my run down,
Leg of a "fat" duck cooked in its own fat, beans, sausage of Toulouse which is very fatty, bacon pieces, pieces of pork skin and fat ... and probably any fat that may be laying around the kitchen.
The result ---- delicious.
Ducks are very important in the food of the South West. They make sure they eat every bit.
Duck stomach is delicious and often served as salad. Obviously the stomach is a tough muscle so it is cooked slowly. Duck hearts are also popular and served as brochettes.
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| Duck stomach |
Bread is a must and is used to clean your plate of any sauces or juice (usually blood from rare meat).
You also clean your eating utensils with the bread as they are only removed before cheese so you use them for entree and main meal.
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| Duck hearts |
The food is delicious and ... fatty. Butter seems to be used on everything but I was reassured when I was told that salted butter is " the problem".
Mushrooms from the forest are found in the markets.
Buying cheese. It was on special..
These are great mushrooms.
I recall eating them before. They have a very tempting name.
Les trompettes de la mort .......
trumpets of the dead......
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| Breakfast at the market. |
We are continually moving but enjoying ourselves.
We will update our blog again soon. Actually the next will be mainly a video of the "Grande Elephant." It is amazing!
LOVE
R & A
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