Living as Locals

So much has changed since we drove into our little Burgundian town in early June. We've picked up some French, made wonderful friends, & learned a lot about the culture here among the vineyards. We decided we were comfortable & confident enough to start enjoying some new experiences with the locals. The kids started horseback riding lessons, we explored nearby parks, participated in a sports festival, & visited a chateau just minutes from our home.

The horse stable is beautifully situated on several acres of rolling green pastures. Our instructor Julie Anne, a lovely French girl, was both kind & patient with Connor & Dylan as they walked & trotted around the ring & then out in the fields. Even Hampton enjoyed her first pony ride on her new friend, Phoebe.










My new friend, Romeo






As you all know, Saturday mornings are spent at the Beaune Market to buy fresh food for the week. This Saturday, however, we explored a nearby park while Mum & Dad did the shopping.




We brought plenty of baguette for some lucky ducks...


...& even saw some ducklings!


Of course we found a playground!






Connor & Dylan dominated the McDo Kids Sport event in town. Apparently it's a big thing across France sponsored, ironically, by McDonald's. It's basically the equivalent of an American school's field day. There were stations set up across a huge closed area with various sports to have a go at.


D was the last one alive in the "sharks & minnows" rugby game


Connor rocked the high jump


Miss Hampton loved the dancing mat


& of course both boys were the best at basketball (French kids don't play as much as us Americans...)




Lastly they enjoyed some old fashioned brotherly competition in the relay races...


...& earned themselves a spot in the local paper!! (Bottom left picture)
Just the other day we all jumped in the car to visit Château de Sully. The stunning estate is nestled within the countryside next to the world famous Côte de Beaune vineyards. Home to duchesse de Magenta and her family, it is the largest residential château in our little region of France. My king, princess, & knight led the way across the moat to explore.









After a tour of the inside, H & I walked through the gardens...




On our way home we stopped in Nolay, a quaint town in the heart of the Cozanne Valley. We enjoyed a light lunch & soaked up the sun while H cooled off in the fountains.


Beautiful wooden framed houses surrounded the courtyard


Le Thé dans la Vigne, a delightful looking tea room is apparently a hidden gem in Burgundy




Someone had to borrow my shirt on drive home...
On a much shorter detour, we found an old windmill used from 1851-1995. We stopped to take in the incredible views of the vineyards.




Once home, Miss Michelle invited me over to show off her homemade cherry preserves. (& I mean really homemade, she picked the cherries from the tree in her garden.)




Her stunning garden filled with fruit trees, flowers, & grape vines.
After all our amazing adventures we feel like locals here in Burgundy. Sadly it's our last week at our home away from home, but we will always cherish the memories we have made here.