Socializing with the Seniors of the Community!

So today was the big day, Christmas dinner with a group of seniors of the community. Jean and Alice are members of this club and l was fortunate to of been invited to join the festivities! :) But before the party started, you can only imagine how the seniors of France can celebrate, we had to make a little trip to another village so Alice could get her hair done.

The village l visited this morning was called " Le Neubourg" population approx. 4200, establish in 1428. From what l see during my walk about, the village was built around it's church (église) The eglise is very old indeed and unfortunately is not aging very well on the outside but the inside, all l could do was walk around looking up, pics to follow. Right in front of the church appears to be a town square with the Statue of "Jacuqes Charles Dupont de l'Eure (1767-1855). Monsieur Dupont de l'Eure was considered as France's first Presidential Head of State.

As l walked around the village l took in the sights of the local stores and actually went into a market to see what it was like. The first thing l noticed when walking through the door, l the sound of Michael Buble's voice singing a Christmas song on the over head speakers. I said before leaving that Michael and l were going to France together! :) Many different things in the market then what we have at home but l didn't buy anything on this trip, just took in the sights and sounds of this lovely village.

I was impressed with the Christmas decorations of many of the store fronts. One window display actually had animated polar bears, l just wanted to reach out and touch them but the store was closed.:(
Here are some of those pics..

                 

Now that Alice has her new do, off to the Christmas festivities!
When entering the restaurant, l was met by a group of 50, (give or take a few) seniors from this fine community that l am now calling "my temporary home". Everyone was very welcoming to the "newcomer". Not many have had the opportunity to met a Canadian before so there was some curiosity within the group. A few spoke a word or two of Anglais (English) but language of the hour or should l say 3.5 hrs later was french! I was able to add to the conversation at our table but let's just put it this way......très limité (very limited) but at least l was trying and l think they appreciated that l was. The meal was a wonderful from start to finish, it was a seven course meal, yes l said seven if you include the palate cleanser and it had alcohol in it too! Each dish was served with a drink, first being Champagne and the remainder of the dishes were served Rouge and Blanc vin. I have included the menu and pics of my table companions. I had to take a picture of the fireplace, every home should have one like this!

     

Needless to say after sitting and eating for 3.5 hrs l was cooked and ready for a nap! Knowing that it won't be a good idea to go for a nap at 4:30 in the afternoon l decided when we got home to get changed and go for a long and well deserved promenade (walk). When Alice and l went for our walk yesterday l saw the ruins of an old church and decided to go and check it out. Here are the pictures of "Ruins of Le Prieure De La Sainte Trinite". I am not a very religious person but l have to say that seeing these ruins is breath taking to say the least. It sits on a hill top over looking the village, the path for which you walk to get to it is very narrow. As l walked this path all l could think of as l looked at stone wall that was built to prevent the land from sliding, was the fact it, as well as the ruins among these walls, were created by bare hands thousand years ago. When l walked through the archway of the old church l thought of all the people who have walked before me. If the walls could talk.....

    

For my 4th day here in France it was an enjoyable and educational experience. Well it is now 11:30 pm here so l guess l should call it a night. It has been a fun day here and l hope you have enjoyed the walking tour!