ChateauChatter: First Impressions ~ the second time around

Our return to France had been played over in my mind for several months before the event. Would it be as new and unknown as before or would it be like returning to a place that one knows well - like coming home?

In 2008 we arrived in December - winter. In 2012 we arrived in August - summer.

Life is good

What a difference! The countryside in winter is brown; trees look dead; the sky grey and the temperature COLD. In summer, the countryside is a patchwork of brown of ploughed and harvested fields; faded yellow of the sunflowers that will be harvested in the autumn; lush green of the vines with bunches of white or purple grapes; a countryside that has been baked by the sun for several months. And it is HOT!

The drive from Toulouse down the peage (motorway) did seem like just another trip from the airport. Apart from having to remember that we are now in a righthand drive country and being very conscious of things being the other way around, it took David only this trip to feel comfortable about driving here. For me it will be a different story - having to drive a manual on the 'wrong side'.... no doubt this may well be a blog subject .... we will see!

View from top garden

Arrival at the Chateau was , as it always is, special. This time not a feeling of 'WOW!'(and mouth open), but more 'this IS a special place' (and the feeling of thankfulness to be able to come back). Last time the chateau was wearing its winter coat. This time the green ivy is covering all the walls and is a contrast to the brown of the lawn and some of the plants in the garden. The heat of the summer showing in the wilted and dried flower heads.

Now that we are settled in, having spent the first two weeks in the Petite Maison while guests of the owners were staying, it is beginning to feel like we have come home. The wish to be able to share everything about this place with family and friends is as strong as it was last time. Hence the camera/iPhone comes with us most places - just in case there is something we think special to capture - not just for ourselves but to be able to share with others.

We haven't ventured too far afield yet but where we have gone (supermarket , our favourite sports shop, the post office...) it is all very familiar. I can hear some of you saying "what about the market?" which is one of our favourite places to go. The first Wednesday we were here...and really looking forward to going....it was a public holiday! The next week....we had no car! It was in being serviced and having 'une petite probleme' fixed!! So when we do get to the market it will be a much looked forward to occasion.

Morning walks around Raissac and environs became a part of Liz's daily routine last time. And it is becoming so again but now it is nous deux. We are in awe of the magnificent vistas that one can see as well as enjoying the differences between here and home or the differences between city and country life. It is certainly easier to get up and out here (at least while the weather is warm) than it sometimes is at home. There is nothing to disturb one's train of thought - no traffic besides maybe one, perhaps two cars; no people or when there is there is always the friendly Bonjour - nothing..... just the sound of your own footsteps and heavy breathing at times from the unfit one!