Some forests are natural, but other smaller areas are man-made. For these areas the trees are planted in rows.

Today we are on our way to the home of another of Marie-Annick's brothers.



We pass several of the small cemeteries. This one is filled with British soldiers. 

 Andre and Bridgette have invited us for lunch. It begins with wine, nuts and crackers in the living room which is where I'm standing to take this picture. Right outside the dining room door is a huge jade plant. Yellow pansies fill the window box.

We moved to the table for the first course which could have been an entire meal...each of our plates had 5 kinds of sausisson, garnished with a miniature pickle and 3 tiny onions, and served with bread and butter. Then came the second course...beef cooked in beer and frites (French fries). Then the third course came...cheeses and more bread. Then the fourth course came... rhubarb tart served with ice cream. A different wine was served with each course. The meal ended with coffee. It had taken all afternoon, but the food was really secondary to the conversation. I can catch a word here and there and sometimes I even figure out what is being discussed.  

The last time I was in France I wouldn't understand any word in a conversation, so my French is improving ever so slowly. But a willingness to laugh at oneself is always helpful...

Everyone else was willing to brave the rain to visit the cemetery. They left me home to take a nap or write. I chose the latter. My dentures were a bit uncomfortable so after rinsing them off, I dropped them into my empty glass. I intended to pop them back in my mouth when the others returned, but I forgot. Everyone came back to the table.

I noticed in what direction Andre was gazing, realized what I had done, grabbed the glass and leaped, laughing, for the kitchen. Marie-Annick figured it out first and pretty soon everyone was laughing.

This is a view from the back yard just before the rain came down. We were heading "home" around 6 PM. Shortly after we arrived, Jean-Ives and his family returned from their vacation. Suddenly the house was jumping...and a music teacher arrived and stayed for dinner.  

 My dulcimer was mentioned. Then I was asked to get it from my bedroom. I played a couple of songs and set it aside. Julian, who plays the guitar, began to pluck a melody on the dulcimer. We tried to find a tune that both of us knew, but that didn't work out. Still, it was fun. Then I was asked to keep playing while dinner was being prepared. The music teacher came over to watch. I haven't had time to practice...but at this rate stage fright is eventually going to be a thing of the past.

After a spaghetti dinner (without wine) it was time for more music...the teacher is playing the trumpet. They would find a song on the computer to which they also had the sheet music, so it was super to listen to!



Here's my dulcimer and Julian with his guitar in the living room. Music is definitely a universal language!

Tomorrow we are not traveling...it'll be family time.