Arrival at Aix

Today we finally left Le Puy and I was glad. Despite the fact that I'd had two days warning that we were about to leave, I still hadn't packed so the morning was a bit of a panic. But at 11.30 Ludovic came to get me and we went back to theirs to load the two cars (Ludo, Elsa, Me and the three birds and four rabbits in one car and Anna, Marion and Lyra the cat in the other!) It was quite the road tripping adventure with 4 hours to get to Aix on winding country roads before we could hit the motorway. The views across the mountains and in the Ardeche were pretty stunning, especially with all the snow we've been having. In places I would say there was a meter of snow by the side of the road and it got to -7 degrees. We arrived at Ludo's in time for dinner and I was shown around the house and farm and met his family who were lovely if a little rough around the edges. The Marseille accent is really something to get used to and I did at times struggle! Lovely dinner and warmed up next to the fire. In the evening we went to Elsa's parent's house, where we would be staying. It felt like when you visit your grandparents before Christmas, there really was a welcome home feeling with tea and catching up. I didn't even feel like an awkward outsider, the family is so friendly (even if things are a little complicated with the divorce between Gerard - Elsa's Dad and Anna - Elsa's mum). My room was amazing, better than a hotel with my own en-suite although I would later find out that using the shower floods the hall! I liked the tiles in the bathroom, and hadn't taken a picture due to all the travelling so this will have to do. When Elsa saw the picture later she asked if she should be worried about the fact I go round taking pictures of people's bathrooms...!