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France Trip, April, 2008

Monday, April 7

Didn't sleep well last night, so we slept in a bit and decided to relax today. Finally got internet access and caught up on email. Pat went to the store for some cheese and bread to have for lunch.

The sun is finally shining today! We went for a walk and took some wine, cheese, bread, pickles, and French chocolate with us. We wandered the chateau gardens and hiked up to see the sheep. There are brand new little lambs in the pasture, so cute.

The Count and the Countess, Guy and Marnie de Vanssay, own a colorful parrot from Nicaragua named Mr. Cacoo. He's huge and very tame. They bathe him, pet him, and turn him upside down.

The chateau was used for many years as a court of justice, hence "La Barre." Several of Guy's ancestors followed William the Conqueror to England, so the family crest shows up in places there as well. The crest is symbolic of an ermine. A raised ducat, or coin, under the crest signifies that someone from the family participated in the Crusades. The crest is built into the stone of the fireplace in the Salon Rosé. The biggest room, the le Grande Salon, is full of antiques.

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