No-one was here when we got up – the workers had long gone and Yves was in town. After a leisurely breakfast, some blogging and some emailing, Yves was back and Keith and I walked to Montalieu. We were on ‘secret last day’ business, since we were making a special meal and wanted to find a gift. I was inspired to look for a particular plant that Anne-Marie had admired in a garden in Valbonnais but, of course, there were none in the back section of the Chantal Florist. Instead we found a very strong looking hibiscus in a large pot and we added a bottle of wine to that. It took quite a long time to find all the ingredients we required, so by the time we staggered back to Quirieu, both of us taking turns to carry the plant, we were boiling and Yves was about to send out the search party for us. We put the food away, hid the gifts in the garage, cooled off over lunch and then set off with Yves to walk over to say ‘Goodbye’ to Chantelle and Jean-Pierre. We had only met Chantelle and Jean-Pierre a few times, but they had always been so kind, friendly and welcoming.
It was reasonably late when we returned so we started cooking straight away. With everything under control, we could think about what to say in French at our final dinner, with Keith looking up words and me thinking of some sentences in my head.
Everything went well, and we felt that our messages of appreciation for all the hospitality, language assistance and friendship to us, along with our thanks for what they had done for Joel in 1995 and subsequent visits here, as well as for Rohan and Holly during their stays, were understood. After many compliments back and forth, the necessity of packing up raised its ugly head in quite an anti-climactic way.
Later that night, after a special occasion green menthe drink, we finally fell into bed in Quirieu for the last time. Yes, I did feel sad, and I did wish that we did not live so far away.
Christine collected wildflowers while walking along the lane.
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