I decided to give Brock a welcome break from writing the blog and sent him on a shopping expedition instead. Hopefully I won’t let everyone down that has been enjoying his blogging so far.
We woke quite early this morning considering the just before bedtime drinky, and it being a rest day. We enjoyed a refreshing glass of pamplemousse juice in the early morning sun before setting off into Peregueux town center. We had a leisurely walk along the cycle path we had used yesterday. Not even the ducks seemed to want to get up this morning. After braving the slightly heart stopping zebra crossings that we’re still not confident with, we arrived in the cobbled streets of the town. It being Wednesday, it was market day in the square with jaw dropping fresh local produce, baskets of tomatoes, aubergines, corgettes and fantastic picture perfect cauliflowers the like of which we don’t see at home. Stall with fresh herbs, spices, olives, whiffy cheese, wonderful bread and all the products and by-products of the foie gras industry that is here. Foie gras, confits, margrets and grillons, nothing goes to waste. Brock tried Foie gras with fig which he said was yummy. Lots of local chickens quite orange in colour and rather pricey at €10.50, whole rabbits too, complete with eyes. Those of you who know me will know how I feel about that. Brock bought a pain au raisin from the bread stall, this is becoming a firm favourite of his I can see I shall have to start baking on our return. We walked a few of the old narrow and weaving streets. I marvelled at all the ice cream or ‘glace’ shops full of flavours I’d never imagined, chocolate shops that are lit up like jewellery shops with their pretty sweets and wrappers glistening. I eventually bought two new tops from a clothes shop, the sales are on so it was a bit of a rummage and after several grumps at Brock who was encouraging me to try things on, and one near walk-out I finally left with new French clothes. One top makes me look like a big fluffy cloud, but hey, it keeps me cool, it’s been so hot lately.
After a brief visit to an open tourist info where I saw a man walking about with a white rat on his shoulder, we set off in search of an internet café to upload all our pictures and blogs. We realised it had been some time since we’d managed to do this. After some searching we found a nice bar/restaurant with wi-fi, thought we would combine the internet with lunch. We shared a plate of tapas, chorizo, calamari, ham and salad. Actually I ate it while Brock slaved on the computer, glass of wine and a beer. Three strong glasses of wine later all our photos still uploading and the battery running low, to my huge embarrassment Brock asked to be moved to another table near an electric socket. That all being done we shopped for dinner and returned to camp. Brock set off to try and find the elusive Intermarché we’d been looking for, still couldn’t find it, but came across a busy industrial estate and returned with budget goodies from a ‘Leader Price’ superstore. All the afternoon boozing and a large bowl of creamy pasta avec fruits de mer had made us sleepy so we went to bed for an early night. Another rest day tomorrow.