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So after a week of fun with visitors, we have settled back into our routine.
Here is a picture of Henry and his buddy Charlie (whose Dad went to Furman) showing their support for Dins day - a Furman fundraiser we could at least support with a photo if nothing else!
May 1st is France's version of Labor Day. Everything is closed and it is a tradition to give bouquets of Lily of the Valley to friends. Here they are called Muguet. The first picture was a chocolatier's interpretation of the flowers- so cute! Chocolate lily of the valley? That is original!
I joined a group of girls for an overnight to Vichy. We all met at the train station and hopped on the train for our 30 minute trip. We stopped for lunch once we arrived at a little Bistro.
The man taking the pic cropped me out of the shot!
They served ICED TEA!! Unheard of in Europe!! Megan had to try it!
We checked into the hotel and changed into the mandatory spa robes. Although this was a renowned spa for this area, we found it to be a little more clinical in nature than your typical "pampering" spa.
This was the lobby of the spa. Felt a little more like a hospital! They had lost my reservation for a massage so offered me a mud wrap- not an experience I will soon forget! I kept searching for cucumber tea and classical music, but found hammam steam rooms and digestive water!
While it was a bit more clinical, we all still enjoyed our down time and had fun catching up.
That night we went to a wonderful restaurant overlooking the river called La Rotunde. It was a delicious and beautifully presented dinner full of foods I had never tried. I am getting more and more brave, but still have several things I just can't do yet! Here are some pics of everyone's meals....
Calamari- no joke! How about those tendrils?
Quail and foie gras
Cabillaud fish
Pork trio
Apple tart with caramel cream
The second dessert! They bring around this cart to every table for all to have a sampling of some of their homemade candies and chocolates.
Meanwhile, back in Clermont- Ferrand....
CF's rugby team called ASM was in the European finals. They set up a viewing area for fans to watch the game going on in London.
Here are some pictures of the fanfare...
Even Vercingetorix has a flag!
And the cutest fan in town! Gant and Henry went to the center of town and stayed in the crazy crowd for about 10 minutes before deciding to watch it from the comfort of our sofa! ASM lost but the town still seemed proud to have made it to the European Finals!
