It's a day for chores. We have lots of laundry to do, including sheets and towels. I'm on my last short sleeved T-shirt. The weather this past week has been hotter than average for Brittany, especially the past 2 days when the temperature was over 90. With no air conditioning (it isn't needed 99% of the time), it's been hot sleeping. Stone houses store heat and there's been no breeze. However, the weather is supposed to change tonight with temperatures dropping and 70% chance of rain tonight. We're hoping the weather predictions are right, because it's only 9 am and it's already in the upper 80s.
Groceries are on the list since Dan and Paulette arrive tomorrow for a few days to help us close out our time in Brittany. We're looking forward to their suggestions for things we have missed as they've been to Brittany several times.
We left for the market in Vannes by shortly after 10. This is likely our last time, so I'm a bit sad. Our first stop is always the produce stand. There are fewer people today, perhaps because of the heat, but the line is as long as always. Once more, I was told to move to the front of the line and this time I say I am happy to wait my turn. But the merchant returned and insisted, then waited on us immediately. I protested again and he told me the French are intelligent and understand. It's how things are done in France. OK, I gave him my order. We left with $82 of fruits and vegetables. There will be one more ratatouille before we leave. Flat peaches, apricots, cherries, strawberries, and melon are all at their sweetest right now. We told the vendor that we were leaving next Saturday and joked about him coming with. He gifted us some grapes and flat parsley, just because. (And when we got home, we found that the dozen apricots were 14. This vendor has a reputation for treating his customers generously like personal friends.
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| our favorite produce stand. The black mound on left is cherries, melons are sorted by when they should be used. You let the vendor choose the fruits and vegetables for you. He picks the ones with the proper ripeness depending on your needs. |
Our next stop was the olive vendor. There we spent $54 on our last pound of Lucques olives, along with our usual Kalamatas and mixed olives. We bought some of the pimento dip I love. And chatted about the weather (too hot, not normal, last year was cold) and their produce. She also gifted us a container of another spread (garlic something). You build these relationships with the vendors in France when you frequent the same ones. And of course, they need to be friendly to sell their wares. This was a good olive vendor.
One last stop at the cheese vendor in the covered market where we've shopped the last couple of times. He has always had Epoisses, our new favorite cheese and he has various sharpness of Roquefort blue cheese.
We spotted a vendor next to the cheese vendor who was selling chicken brochettes (kebabs) and bought 4 for one of our meals this week.
Then back to our usual parking ramp with really heavy bags. We have been mystified lately about why the gate opens before we can insert our paid ticket. Today, I think we have figured out the trick and if it's right, it's pretty cool. We know that there's lots of video equipment including license plate recognition available in French parking lots. We think that when you pull into the parking lot, your plate number is encoded on your parking ticket, then when you pay at the machine, your license plate is recognized as paid. When you approach the bar to exit, it automatically lifts without you having to show your ticket. Ingenious.
Back home, put food away, and have lunch. After lunch, it's time to hit the grocery store for things that can't be purchased at the market. Like wine. We were down to only 2 bottles. And the BIB was down to its last glass.
It turns out, no one has mandarins or clementines anymore. Must be the end of the season for them. The mustard aisle is still empty, but we have enough to get us through the week. One more packet of coffee is needed for the week. And of course, we need to re-supply the chips. We were looking for AdBlue, the carburant used to reduce pollution in diesel cars. We have under 2000 km before the car will refuse to start. But we didn't find it in the grocery store or the Carrefour service station.
Home again, put away groceries, do more laundry. Take a nap. We both seemed to hit the wall today, probably due to our long day yesterday. This is the first day we have given in to being at home, against Dave's better judgement. But we really need to sweep the floors. The bread crumbs are getting annoying to walk on. (Slight exaggeration.)
We had leftover dinner, finished a bottle of wine, and finished the bread pudding and sauce. In time to make another one tomorrow. Cooking is on the agenda tomorrow so that we will have more time to explore with Dan and Paulette. We're looking forward to their visit.
And the most amazing thing happened as we sat at dinner sweating in the late afternoon heat. Dave wished for a breeze, and lo, and behold, the sun went behind a cloud, and a light breeze came up. It got quite comfortable on the patio until the breeze freshened as the sailors would say, and the awning started lifting. We brought it in, but a clap of thunder sent us into the house. However, with doors opened and a continuing strong breeze (with occasional raindrops) have cooled the house to a livable temperature. We will sleep better tonight.
Our owner stopped by on her way back from the beach to tell us that in gardening the other day (we were gone), she was stung by an Asian wasp. She wanted us to know that someone would be over to get rid of the pests and to beware going in that corner of the yard. She also told us we would have stormy weather tonight and tomorrow and then it would go back to being nice. I'm ready for nice.
Sorry, no photos today. Just a day with lots of chores. Oops. Dave just told me he had taken 2 photos at the produce stand. So I'll post the one with our vendor in it, although you can't see his face.
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