Rouen by day.

The day began with a flea market/farmer's market. Truly my kind of day.
Books...lots of books. A lot of intellectual books. In the US, I would expect a lot of romance novels. Lots of textiles, mostly in piles that people dug through. Clothes, of course, but I found sheets and a sleeping bag, which we found out we needed for Ellie's CISV trip. Five euros for two nice clean sheets and a light and clean sleeping bag. We have laundry here, so we washed it all. Bric a brac, furniture, jewelry...it was fun. 
Some weird stuff, like this liquor bottle with unexpected liquid in it...not the advertised anise!
We probably spent an hour. At the end, we got some delicious cherries, a melon,  mange-tout beans (snap peas), and raspberries. 
On to lunch: a creperie. We had three different ones, along with a glass of cider and a kir with cider. Soo good...sausage, eggs, cream, mushrooms...all sorts of deliciousness.
And you can see how charming the location is. Rouen is a lovely medieval city. With a subway!
we visited the cathedral, an abbey, a modern church and a big clock on an old city gate.

There was some cheese and bread shopping, some geocaching, some clothes shopping, and some printing. And another load of laundry. We are home now having our appetizer of tomatoes, sausage, cheese, bread and wine.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gaudi

Image
Today was Gaudi day! Ellie slept in Mataro so we got up and out early for an organized tour. We booked a last minute walking tour focused on history and architecture.  We started in the Gothic quarter This is where the old Roman gates were. The cathedral with its 19th century Gothic facade over the old 13th century Church. unicorn gargoyle  a weird person gargoyle. We went through the old Jewish quarter, El Call, and saw an old synagogue door with a cut out for a mezuzah. And then on to several Gaudi buildings. Even the under sides of the balconies were decorated, so looking up from the street was rewarded!  We ended at the Casa Mila, and met Ellie, had lunch, and took a tour of the inside. It was amazing! ...
Read more

Madrid II: with family

Image
We started the day with thrift shopping. Ellie needs a graduation dress. There were so many vintage shops... We probably stopped at 10 in 2 or three neighborhoods. We had a quick poke bowl and smoothie lunch as we all wanted something light and healthy.  After a break and rest, we went to the city park and did a little geocaching.  At 8:30, we met Charmian and John, Phil's first cousin from England, at a restaurant and had an amazing meal. Phil has not seen them in 30 years, and I had never met her. On the way, we saw a newly married couple leave a wedding.  Our Airbnb was tiny and cramped, but had the most amazing Olympic level security; 
Read more

Madrid to Barcelona

Image
Ellie woke up much better. We went out for coffee and to buy her a second new toothbrush. We packed up, left our bags at the hostal, and went out for churros and chocolate. Then we split up...Phil went in search of the Egyptian temple and Ellie and I were going to the botanical garden, but instead got her hair cut for tomorrow's graduation, and wandered around. We got some amazing recommended sandwiches to bring on the train. The rest of the afternoon is back in Barcelona. Our Airbnb is in someone's home and is lovely. This evening did not end the way I anticipated. Isabel, Ellie's counselor, who helped her escape from the Dursleys, invited us to dinner in Mataro, where Ellie lives, about 40 minutes outside of Barcelona. She invited Trini as well. We arrived in Mataro and it was Isabel, Trini, Lily, the other exchange student, Trini's daughter and boyfriend, and Isabel's husband and adult son. We waited through the town to a particular restaurant that se...
Read more