There's nothing Doing... step back in Time

While waiting for the return of the Tooli, (and yes, she did make it to Rouen, via Two stations at either end of Paris... and then promptly got so drunk she lost the next day). ...  we headed for the little village of Rocheford en Terre, Une Petite Citie De Caracter.  C'est Tres Belle. 

We have had a continuing problem in Francais, we get out of our bed late, and arrive in villages just after lunch time, as all the flipping restaurants are closing for .... lunch.   What is it about this place that makes lunch time so spectacular.  I can just imagine my Boss, if I said to him, "I'm away for my lunch", at 1 o'clock and then appeared again at 3 pm, slightly dishevelled and worse the wear for wine and sleeping.

We have resolved this problem (sort of) by getting up slightly earlier, and racing to wherever we are headed, and sitting down first, and then wandering around closed shops.  Makes more of the day and saves money.

Anyhoo- Rochefort-en-Terre.  This place is a must for a visit.  Beyond picturesque; every house is a architectual delight, dating from hundreds of years ago... some Yank came over and took over a chateau and became French.  He asked that all the residents decorated their homes with Geraniums to enhance the beauty of the village, and boy did they ever.  The place is just perfect.  Tiny little roads, separate artisan shops - glass blowing, candle making, soap making, painting, bread making, cidre making, and ooooh  all sorts.

A veritiable feast for the tourist... select tourist that is. 

We had a lovely wander round a shop, neither one thing, nor the other, stockist of garden lights, jewellery, bags, crystals, you know the sort.  Also home to some very lovely art work.  

I was fairly in love with some of the pieces, and informed The Si that the signs read, "do not touch the pictures", I told him that if I was going to impart with 150 euros for a picture, I'd be bloody touching them first.

I gazed round them all continually commenting on my need to poke them; and then reached the counter, "Hello" said the man behind the counter.  "Ah ha" I said " we look so flipping English eh? " 

"Well no", he said, in a very south coast English Accent".  "I could hear you talking over there, beside the pictures".


Hmmm. 

Okay then.