Today we went to Sat. Marche in Quillan. Marion asked if she could go along to look for tomato plants.
I found the petunias for my planter, and a large lavendar to replace the ones that are missing. I also picked up some fresh goat cheese from my favorite cheese maker. We had not seen him for 5 months,( he spent a lot of time in Brazil while we were in the States, I hear), but he looked up and said Bonjoir, Oh hello Virginia, LOL He practices his English and insists that I speak French to him, an even swap I would say. He is very patient and doesn't get grumpy when I get it wrong.
after the market we went to Limoux to the grocery store and got the car washed.
When we got home I pitted the cherries that we bought and made a cherry pie...now for those that do not know, when I first came to this house, the stove and I were mortal enemies.. Part of it is gas, the rest is electric..and I think it was here when the Germans marched in during WWII! The oven does not have degree markings, just numbers 1-10, I have since found that between 6 and 7 is about 350 degrees, but my first pecan pie took 2 hours..and more patience than I had to be sure!!
But since I got a oven thermometer, and did the figuring we have made friends, and I can tell you that this tiny oven is a work of art. It will hold a 9X11 pan but not too much bigger, one cookie sheet, and maybe one cupcake pan. Not too wonderful for one who bakes, but there are so many boulongeries here that no one needs to bake for themselves! I will say that my Zucchini bread was quite a hit, no one had heard of it here and since there is sooo much zucchini, here, under the assumed name of corgette, that I made it to use some that I had in the kitchen... Paulo said that he could sell as much as I made, but then with such a small oven it is hardly worth the trouble. There are no ovens in old houses that will hold a 25 pound turkey, but that is ok since there are no whole turkeys in France!!!! I nearly give myself a hernia opening the door everytime, but the heat stays in the oven not in the kitchen. When you finally get the darned door open you get a steam bath, so it is multipurpose! I cooked the cherry pie today for about one hour, not 2!!
A storm followed us across the ocean, making for a rocky voyage! It does not bother me, so that was not a problem. We stopped in the Azores, then Lisbon. We did not have a lot of time in Lisbon,so pretty much stayed near the port and walked around the Alfama. We had hoped to see a friend there but there was no time, then on to Cadiz Spain. Cadiz is a lovely town, self contained, and you can walk to anything there. No need for a taxi, or bus. It is a beautiful old village, with many lovely buildings. Malaga was next, and one of Michael and my favorite places. The walk in from the ship is about a mile,through a lot of construction. YUCK...but the town is worth it. The old building have been saved and restored on a wide street, no traffic, and the open air marche is stunning..unfortunately you can take no fruit or veggies on the ship so we could not buy anything that we did not intend to eat there.
The Alfama..so many stairs, so little time! Thousands of them..really
Sao Palo Azores
on the Solstice.
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