French Travels: David Downie and Onward to Southwest France

   

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Bonjour from Poudenas!

In a huge irony, I click on my I-phone outside of the 14th century Cafe Galerie on the main street of Poudenas, a village of 300 inhabitants. I wait patiently for the wireless to activate, come on line, whatever it does in Southwest France, it does on its on accord. When it wants. And not before.

Chef Marie-Claude Gracia Rey and her husband, Christian are out walking Cookie, their bouncy little white chien, puppy-dog, across the stone bridge.

While waiting, let me catch you up on where we've been the last three days - in Paris!

Cooking Class in  Paris Apartment off of
my favorite market street, Rue Daguerre

One very early morning with writer, Isabelle Bachelard,
at Rungis Market

France's season of wild game has begun at Rungis Market. 

Fromage as far as the eye can see. At Rungis. 

Also in Paris, we spent a lovely morning with author and punster, David Downie and his wife, Alison Harris - photographer of all beauty, touring the Marais delighting in the history of the Templars, a small restaurant where President Clinton ate, the seductive aromas of Marche l'Enfant Rouge and the sights of bejeweled chocolates. Lunch apres at one of their favorite restaurants. 

Desserte

Canard, Duck

Plat aux Sardines

Le Moulin de Rosa Restaurant in the Marais

A swirl of cardamon and curry at Marche l'Enfant Rouge in the Marais

David Downie, author, and Alison Harris, photographer
On the train from Paris.

Piquenique-ing

All of a sudden the wireless comes on and a flood of messages come through. 

But the ducks never lose a moment in their swim across the millpond beneath the ancient stone bridge.

In a few minutes we'll see Michel Lebecq, a bit of a bon vivant, typical Gascon renaissance man, wood turner, farmer as he leads our little band through many culinary experiences.

On To Market in Mezin