On Saturday, Karen had a coaches' clinic so I got to drive us to Tedy's soccer match. It was in Beaucroissant, a small town about 15 minutes from Moirans. It was pleasant weather with a bit of chill in the wind, but a fun morning for the teams. Some beautiful horses watched from the hill.
Tedy scored, and got to be goalie for one of the matches so he was happy. He's the one on the right.
On the way home I noticed the clouds and saw we were quite high up so David directed me down a country road to come home.
Villages on the mountains
Sam and Tedy playing while I made the sandwiches on my make-shift table.
Tedy scored, and got to be goalie for one of the matches so he was happy. He's the one on the right.
I know I am notorious for taking pictures while I drive, but not today. This is David's shot, while I drove down the mountain.
I had seen this post before I left and I happened to find a broken branch with pine cones so I took one to smuggle (sssshhhh) home.
Sunday was pouring rain, all day, but we went to the International church in Grenoble. The speaker spoke in French, with translator, which is nice because I got to check if I was understanding her. That's the pastor on the right, next to the translator. Pastor is from S. Africa.
After the service was social time and I met a lovely lady, Arlene, who lives in Crolles.
Crolles is a commune in the Isère department in southeastern France. It is located in the Isère valley, 20 km northeast of Grenoble, upstream on the river Isère. It has given its name to the Dent de Crolles mountain, which stands just above the city.
She is from Boston, but has lived, married and raised 2 daughters in France. She came in the 80's to University and stayed. Her daughters both live in US now and she is divorced. She was excited to hear that my flight goes direct from Lyon to Montreal and we're discussing how she could bus from there to Boston, visiting friends and family on the way.
We ate at a little Vietnamese restaurant, Pho 38 for lunch and all had interesting dishes including- Soupe Bun bo Hue(Karen), Soupe Pho(Joanna), Samoussa (shared), Nem (shared), Legumes Sautes (Tedy), Pho Xoa (mine, so I remember the name. It was a plate of noodles, beef and some veg. ), and Boeuf aux 5 épices(David).
Phở or pho is a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat – usually beef, sometimes chicken.
After getting cold and wet going to and from the restaurant, we came home and snuggled in for the rest of the day. David watched the Patriots in the wee hours of the morning but they did not come through for him.
Monday night we started our Advent celebrations by having a Christmasy looking supper ( red and green), nachos
starting an Advent tree, on which we will put an ornament each day,
and beginning the reading of A Christmas Candle by Max Lucado. We also drew names for Secret Santa and we must make a gift for our person. That night I began reading "Piper" to the children for bedtime. It's about a boy and his family who leave Scotland on the Hector for NS.(New Scotland)
Tuesday was another walk day. On Sat. I drove down a mountain and today I felt like I walked up one. David had been talking about the cemetery and I decided I wanted to explore it.
The dark pictures are partly because the days have been dark.
Some of the graves were very old. I saw as long ago as mid 1800's.
This was a very old family plot.
Most of them have stone slabs on top. David thinks it's because they can't dig down deep in the rock. People place plaques on top to note their relationship, or remembrances. It was an interesting, meditative and tranquil stroll.
Sweet little flower beside our wall.
Wednesday afternoons there is no school so Karen made Shortbreads with Tedy and Joanna and they decorated them with a dollop of icing and a piece of cherry. They each put 3 on a plate and took them to Mme. Blondeau.
Thursday afternoon Karen and I took several bags of clothes and other items to the recycle place called Ressoucerie - it's like Salvation Army thrift store and proceeds go to the community. I got 3 tins for my collection. That evening I managed to catch Joanna practicing her violin.
Friday they had to go to Grenoble for some appointments, so I went with them.
Shots around Grenoble
I always imagine living in one of these apartments.
Villages on the mountains
We lunched at a little Mexican place. I had a burrito. It was huge.
I don't know if any news of it is reaching N. America, but France is in the midst of transportation strikes, which is wreaking havoc with Sam and Charlie getting to school and/or them getting into town on the train for activities. It started on Thursday and no indication of how long. It means a lot more driving for Karen.
https://www.dw.com/en/france-transport-strikes-paralyze-weekend-travel/a-51568247
Friday evening Karen had to leave for another coaches' clinic. This one for the weekend. So, Saturday was another soccer day.
Tedy in goal for this one.
It was a beautiful day. Probably 12° and sunny. We tried to find something to do after the matches in the St. Marcellin area, but couldn't find anything so we came back to Moirans.
Some pics as we travelled home
Vinay church
Love these narrow streets through small towns, very European.
Went to Park Martin and had a picnic.
We dined and then they played some more. The kids walked home and David and I went for our Christmas tree. If you have noticed the absence of Charlie in these pictures, it's because he is très malade these days.
Saturday was also Samuel's 19th birthday. He got a homemade card from this grandma and a lovely stainless steel set of cooking utensils from his Grammie and Grampie Downey.
Sunday morning I drove us to church and then to the Jr. Match at Stade Bachelard. Another beautiful day. Charlie was still too sick to play.
On our way home, I had another new experience to add to my France adventure. I was stopped by the police for not coming to a full stop at a corner before a round about. They were waiting there to cut me off and wave me in. Of course, he spoke French at first and I managed to understand him to say that STOP is the same in French or English. He said this even before he knew I was not French. I did see the sign but everyone treats it more like a yield. It is out in the country. My ticket for 90 Euro will arrive in David's mail.
I'm only grinning because David said 'smile'. Really feeling pretty stupid.Well this was a long post, but now I am caught up. So ends week 4.
And begins week 5.
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