Come Saturday Morning

Before I get into the day, let me back up to last night. Just to be safe, Jacqueline, Magaux, and I (this is Dan writing, now) took the few minutes walk over to the Gare Montparnasse - the train station, where our fast train departs. We wanted to scope it out and, if possible, get printed tickets/seat assignments. The offices were closed, by the time we got to the station: 10pm. So, we headed back to the hotel and hit the sack.

Got up the next morning and decided, since David was in the middle of a losing battle with a cold, that David and Margaux (since she walked with us the night before) would taxi with all our luggage to the station and the rest of us would head over on foot. It's about a 5 minute walk - but we figured this would make it easier on everyone. Or so we thought....

The immense size of the station had been hidden from us, when we made our late night visit, in the dark. So, you might see where this is going. Jacqueline arranges for the tickets and we wait and wait and wait....for David and Margaux to arrive by taxi. Turns out there are several entrances to the station - on various levels. So, we missed our train. After criss crossing the station 4 or 5 times I finally took Jacqueline's advice and walked up to uniformed security guards and explained, in French, that we were looking for a man and a young girl with PILES OF LUGGAGE. I figured this was a total shot in the dark. The guards nodded and said they knew of a man with a Berkeley sweatshirt and a young girl with piles of luggage. They escorted (it seemed like miles) to where they had been waiting (for over an hour) and we were all relieved. So, we gathered ourselves, re booked the tickets and were on our way.

The fast train is incredible and we were thrilled to be reunited, on the train and heading for the Bordeaux station. 3 hours later we pulled into Bordeaux, where we were to get the rental car and drive the 1 1/2 hours to the house: Pey Au Bruc. Things went pretty smoothly getting off the train and to the Avis rental building, adjacent to the station where our newest addition was waiting. Screams of joy ensued as we met up with Idris, David's niece. She's a beautiful and brilliant young woman who is a Fulbright Scholar in Bordeaux. Joining us at this point in the trip was a great shot in the arm for our next adventures.

Idris, Jacqueline and the girls stayed outside with the luggage, while David and I waited in line (for almost 1 hour....as the two other customers, in front of us, went into deep negotiations with the counter agent for Avis)....we were tired, hot, and there was NO AIR CONDITIONING in the rental car building. Finally, success. Then we were handed a map to walk the three blocks to the garage where the actual van was located....leaving the group behind with the luggage - promising we'd be right back. After seeing our car ready and waiting, we had to negotiate, once again, with the garage agent, for a car that would actually seat 7 people WITH A LITTLE ROOM FOR LUGGAGE. We knew that it was going to be a tight squeeze, but the 1 1/2 hour drive, after loading everyone into the van with suitcases on laps and legs bent up and over to fit in, was something we will never forget. Thankfully, David suggested that we rent the optional "TomTom" GPS for the car....saved our life....and got us, directly to the house.

A run to the grocery store for provisions and we were home to make dinner (ravioli, ice cream and sorbet for dessert and, of course, great wine). The girls swam until it was time to eat. Finally, we are here - and loving it.

Pictures Posted:

1. Idris, our welcome new addition.
2. Pey Au Bruc, the house.....a little slice of heaven (pool's on the far right)
3. Girls in the pool before dinner