Happy 60
Birthday Helen
To Helen
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with love on your 60th birthday September 2013
Happy Birthday Helen September 2013 was THE MONTH of Helen’s 60th birthday. What initially was to be a one evening party turned into a week of celebrations with family and Australian friends (Katherine & Mark, Bill & Cate, Eddie, Jean & Maureen, Keith & Jennie, Hunter, Rob & Julianne, Geoff & Pam, and Greg & Mary) and our French friends. 6 Sept Drinks and pizza - Place Monge Nolay 7 Sept Wine tasting and dinner for the Aussie contingent at our place (in our Cave). 8 Sept Chagny Markets, party organisation, cocktails and birthday dinner. 9 Sept Cocktails for the Sadler family in Nolay at our home 10 Sept Another party for Australians and Pocherons at our home 11 Sept Aperitifs at the Hotel (courtesy of the Pocherons) followed by dinner at Midupi Restaurant, Nolay The main event started with a cocktail party at the Hotel de la Halle, followed by dinner when we took over Patrick & Annie’s Bar – appropriate to have a 60th at two 17th Century buildings, which are located on the Place Monge (village square). Note we have not mentioned wine consumption during this week; suffice to say that various vignerons in Nolay are now our best friends.
Chateau de Chamilly Chamilly - a pearl in the heart of Mercurey (Burgundy) - is the home of the Desfontaine family. For over 150 years the tradition of fine wine has been passed from one generation to the other. Driving through the gatchhouse of Château de Chamilly takes you back 500 years ago. You are in the large courtyard of a castle fortified during the 17th-century with a 14th-century tower. Now, VÊronique Desfontaine and her sons are in charge of a vineyard which stretches over 16 hectares.
The Chagny Markets Sunday is market day in the town of Chagny. The beautiful produce is seasonal and vendors come from throughout the region - there is every manner of food - cheeses, breads and pastries, luscious looking fruits and vegetables, meats, plus clothes, CDs and housewares. The aromas and sounds, colours and textures are amazing!
French Adventures From the French Alps to La Clusaz and a trip to Three Bridges in Kent to watch Helen’s brother play cricket, here are some of the highlights.
The French Alps We headed off to the French Alps, to a little skiing village called Arc 1950, very close to Bourg St Maurice. Arc 1950 is a part of a number of resorts in this part of the French Alps – and derives its name from its altitude. There is a higher Arc, at 2000, and 3 or 4 below. And the skiing opportunities look amazing - bring on Winter! We met up with our friends from Hunters Hill, Gloria and Greg, and stayed at their apartment for 5 days. There was little snow of course, being mid-Summer, but just enough for Charlie to play in (at about 3000 m) – his first such experience, and the weather was glorious. So we had all the conditions necessary for hiking each day on the surrounding mountain trails.
le Tour de France On the way back to Nolay, we decided to try to catch the Tour 2013 and spent two nights at a small ski village called La Clusaz near Annecy, after driving our trusty 10 year old Renault Laguna, over the most stunningly scenic mountain roads from Arc. We arrived just before the roads closed for the Tour -  which peddled its way through in the afternoon through heavy rain - and still the competitors were flying. In La Clusaz we experienced the Tour Caravan, some 200 cars and larger vehicles and floats throwing sponsors gifts. The following morning took us to Annecy for the start of the second last day of the  Tour, and followed this with late lunch at a charming restaurant by Lake Annecy, and a wander through old Annecy.