Another View.

Kay was nice enough to send a CD of photos. It's always nice to see your trip from another's perspective. It brings back wonderful memories. The first photo is of Karen painting. She was probably the most disciplined of all of us. She has a show this week end. Congratulations and good luck!

The other picture is of most of the group at Moulin du Goth, the magnificent B&B we visited the last day there. We had a delightful lunch, enjoyed the beautiful formal gardens and were enchanted by the fairytale horses that appeared below the ivy covered bridge.

Planning another trip in early Oct. 2010. Join us!

French Heartbreaker

Jen just sent this picture of her little guy, Noah wearing his french beret straight from Paris. Isn't he a cutie? A french heartbreaker in training.

Together Again

After spending 11 days together, we miss the time we've spent together. Yesterday,Lynda had us to her studio to paint from our travel photos. She prepared a wonderful lunch too. Jen drove up from Fayetteville with her little one and Jean, Ann and Lynda painted. It was so good to reunite with the ladies who shared this magical experience. Lynda is working on a brochure to advertise Le Vieux Couvent. The photo is of the prehistoric caves of Lasceux that are nearby. It was on my bucket list and I went. I realize how lucky I am to have experienced where art began.

Paris and Home Sweet Home

French dog eating a croissant for breakfast!

8 of us went on to Paris and continued our adventure. Susan, Anne and Patrice had a short time there so took advantage of tours. Lynda, Ann and Jean joined them with a guide and saw neighborhoods that we never would have. Ask Lynda to see the cool purse she found. We (Lynda, Ann and Jean) had an extra day and took advantage by going to the Louve, the Sennelier Paris store and to Monmartre and caught up with Linda and SueAnn. They're having a great time and won't return until Sunday.

That's Jean in front of Notre Dame. Our hotel was about 2 blocks away. We visited Shakespeare and Company one evening, a very famous bookstore.

We've heard from all and they have made it home safely. We wish Linda and SueAnn a safe journey. It's great to be home with wonderful memories and pictures to remember this incredible trip. Maybe next year?

Moulin Goth & Paris

We had a delightful lunch at Moulin Goth, a restored mill in The Lot.  These horses magically appeared (for Matti).  Then we left teary eyed from Le Vieux Couvent for Paris.  This evening view from The Seine will give you a glimpse of the magic of Le Tour Eiffel.  And the musicians in the Metro moved us to more inspiration.  One more day and we depart for NC.  Dreaming of our return.   XO    Lynda      

C'est magnifique

Bonjour! Ah, another fun filled, and exhausting day. What day is it again??? Today we went to Cahors and visited the outdoor markets. We arrived just in time to see a parade of clowns dancing through the small streets, advertising a show they are performing this evening. The village square was lined with rows of colorful umbrellas, fresh produce, cheese, and sausage. Unlike the other towns we visited, this was a bustling community of local people. After our visit there, we went to a scenic park overlooking the Lot and ate a wonderful lunch comprised of food we picked up at the market. Taking the scenic route home, we drove through the vineyards of Cahors and stopped by a local winery.Once home our hosts surprised us with a wine tasting and comedy routine rolled into one. The grand finale of the day was an incredible dinner. The table scape alone was enough to take our breath away and the food more than lived up to the ambiance. This will be sure to be an experience we will remember for a long time. -Posted by Jeniffer

levoo09.wordpress.com  -  check out more about where we are at Le Vieux's blog.  

Miracles The Thin Blue Line

Here we are!  C'est bonne.  Miss all of you and want to bring you here.  We had to wait on the cattle today after having a delightful visit to St. Cirq la Popie.  Laughing and loving life.  We had a miracle at St Martin de Ville - watch for details about the thin blue line and St Martin - a knight of Templar.  I found a FRENCH four leaf clover.  XO

le jardin

October 8, 2009
Linda's Post

I am lulled to sleep by delicate rainfall followed by it's subtle thunder. It softens the sound of the church bells next door. I imagine a little Quasimoto swinging from the bells, they are that erratic. Sometimes on target, every hour day and night. Other times willy nilly on and on. I am very accustomed to them now, I know I will miss these bells when I leave.

I want to tell you about Corinne... the lady of the manor. We rarely see her as she and their son, Joel are often in their kitchen preparing the most fabulous meals for us. We heard her story after dinner the other night. Always in her apron, she told us of her dreams, her journey and of her passion... the gardens.

We had decided to spend the day here at the convent. It is a shame to leave this medieval hamlet where Le Vieux Couvant resides. As lovely as all of the villages that are sprinkled here and there are, I really long to spend a few days here, painting and reflecting. Enter the magical gardens, under arbors heavy with grapes. Every few steps another prayer spot or meditation corner. The entire garden was meticulously created by Corinne, designer extrordinaire. It is neither fussy or formal. Every nook and cranny looks as if it was here forever. Little vignettes and details abound. A tiny garden gargoyle peering from behind the ivy, an ostrich topiary behind an ivory covered ballerina, perfect in perfection... We pick figs and raspberries, citrus trees even in October. The flowers are so abundant even this late in the year. I imagine little fairies that come out at night to tend the plants. Where Corinne finds the time, I do not know. Quite places to paint, find solitude, little paths with hidden delights around. So many things end up on our table. The French way. Stuffed figs, peach sorbet, on and on.

This woman, I am sure is the backbone of this family. Her husband, Bill is delightful, funny and talented. Such a wonderful couple. He certainly adores her, touching her shoulder as she speaks. An inspiration to me in many ways. I could stay here all week and paint. I hope to return.

Overdue Update

October 7th, 2009
Jen's Post

Everyone arrived safely on Monday October 5th! After joining up with each other at the airport, we made our way to the town of Albi. In Albi we visited the Toulouse Latrec museum, the Cathedral of St. Cecile and ate a light lunch at a local cafe. That evening we made our way to Le Vieux Couvent where we were all enchanted by the charm of the home and our magnificent hosts. Since being here we have been well cared for in all ways including homemade, gourmet meals. The gardens here along with the local villages have proven to be an abundant source of artistic inspiration. We are all sure to come home with some wonderful new art (even those of us who wouldn't label themselves as artists.) Today we visited the outdoor markets in the town of Sarlat then later toured the Baynac Castle.

Sarlat Markets

Baynac

C'est bon!

Lynda's Post
We are here! Visited Town of Albi, Cathedral of Saint Cecile patron saint of musicians, Toulouse Latrec museum. Dined at lovely cafe. Drove through countryside. Arrived at Le Vieux - fabulous dinner from the garden all lusciously presented - pork and peppers, pumpkin soup, peach sorbet.

Divine companionship by a full French moon. Your moon - too. Look up and join us. This is a place to hold your soul and then let it soar.

The above image is from our visit to the village of St. Chamarand, which we visited on our second day.

It's Finally Here

The group has been planning this trip since Nov. 2008. It's finally here! Linda and Sue Ann left today. Karen is already in France and will meet us in Toulousse on Monday along with the rest of the group. Most are departing tomorrow. Hope I didn't pack too much. Bon voyage, my fellow adventurers. Until Monday...

Weather Update

Susan sent a long range forcast for our trip and it looks quite warm in southern France. 70's to even 80's some days. Karen left last Sat. and spent the past few days in Provence and is on to Nice. She said she is glad she had a few short sleeved T shirts and a summer nightie. Looks like I might need to add a few more things to the suitcase. Maybe even some sunscreen!

Packing

We leave in 4 days...the packing has begun. Trying to cram it all into a suitcase and stay under 50 pounds. The art gear weighs about 15 pounds. The lightest easel and tripod is about 7 lbs. Add a couple lbs. of paint and a few more of painting panels and one really needs to consider lightweight clothes. Personally, I do pretty well at packing light but Lynda is doing 11 days in a carry on. I can't even figure out how to not take more than the allowable liquids.

The painting is of "French Poppies". They bloom in the spring so we won't see them but Lynda provided a photo from a previous trip as inspiration for this painting.

Inspiration

8 days until departure. Lynda sent the photo of the painting for inspiration this morning. I believe it's of Fraysinet, the village we will spend a week in. Isn't it beautiful? We painted yesterday at Lynda's new place and caught up with a few fellow travelers. Linda R. is checking the weather daily. It seems warm with no rain. Hope it continues. Janet just returned from 2 weeks there and raved about it. "You're just going to love it!" Can't wait!

The Anticipation Grows-11 more days

Bon Jour. That's the greeting we have adopted when we see our fellow travelers.

Plans are finalized and now it's time to get serious about packing. At least, try to figure out which shoes will last the duration and how to get by with less clothes than I would normally pack. Lynda says that we should think of it as camping...casual and comfortable. Black with a touch of color for Paris will do. Hoping to buy a colorful scarf at the markets. We will have lunch in Toulousse on the day we arrive. Violets are the symbolic flower of the city.

The picture is of the village of Giverny, home to Monet's famous watergarden, pink house and gardens. We hope to get there while we are in Paris. It's in Normandy, about an hours drive from Paris.

16 days to departure

Running around trying to find the necessary items to take on the trip. Lynda, our guide and world traveler, highly recommends compression stockings. I'm trying to keep it all in one color family...black. The photo is of SueAnn and Jean at Couquette. It's a fun group of ladies and we should have a great time. Will try to continue the blog while in France but check out the blog at La Vieux Couvent. http://www.vacancesenvie.com This is where we are staying the first week. Watch us paint!

20 More Days

In 20 days, a group of talented artists from the Triangle area of North Carolina will embark on a once in a lifetime painting adventure to southwest France. The group of 13, led by Lynda Chambers will depart for Frayssinet, a tiny village in the French Pyrenees. We will stay in a restored convent called La Vieux Couvent. Our hosts, Bill and Corinne will guide us through the area, feed us, take us on tours of ancient caves, shopping trips and allow us time to paint when the mood strikes us.

Then on to Paris for 3 nights. Hopefully we'll be able to take in Giverney (Monet's home) as part of that adventure.

Yesterday, we met at "Couquette" a lovely french restaurant for lunch and to finalize any last minute plans. The picture is of Susan and Lynda...Lynda always drinks french champagne!