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Our Very First Official Test Run.

This post is about our Wednesday afternoon adventure. After lunch we hopped into the car and headed off to Berze-la-Ville. Our first stop was at Chateau de Berze. According to the brochure I picked up, it is an “imposing medieval fortress overlooking vineyards in Lamartine’s valley. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries around the 10th century Carolingian Chapel.” We decided not to go inside, but the outside and the grounds, as you can see in the photos, are like nothing to be seen in North Adams (nor in your neck of the woods, I’m sure). And the views from there are fabulous – the entire drive was so beautiful – the photos just don’t do it justice.

From there we drove on to La Chapelle Des Moines de Berze-la-Ville to see the frescoes. All the info available was in French or German so I didn’t purchase anything except one photo of the interior. Many of the frescoes are faded and damaged nearly out of existence, but some remain and are very beautiful. If you want to know more, perhaps you can look this place up on the Internet. Sorry I can’t include any fresco photos, they didn’t allow photography inside the chapel.

After we left the chapel, we were running out of time – guests were due for dinner that evening – but Margaret and I were determined to do our first test run, so we headed for Cluny. Our visit there was quick and to the point. M & I went straight to a cafe, sat at an outdoor table, she ordered a beer and I ordered an espresso, plus we split a tarte tatine. While Ken went off to a patisserie to buy bread and dessert for our evening dinner party, M and I got straight to work. We had each packed a Baggie with one support, about 14 bits of collage material, glue stick, scissors (our bird scissors bought at the market in Charolles last week), pencils and pens. We set a timer for 15 minutes. The photos below show the results.

Once we were done with our collages, we drove home and quickly prepared for our guests. Marie-Helene and Genevieve are sisters and Jacqueline is their sister-in-law. Margaret has known all of them for many years. The conversation flew rapidly around me in French and I had lots of practice listening and trying to understand. I still speak only very elementary phrases, but I learn a tiny bit more each day.

We are very pleased with our first art-on-the-go. Lets see what happens on Thursday.

Chateau de Berze off in the distance. ( Keep in mind that I am leaving off all accent marks when I write in French, since I'm not using the appropriate keyboard.)

Chateau de Berze off in the distance. ( Keep in mind that I am leaving off all accent marks when I write in French, since I’m not using the appropriate keyboard.)

Ken and I, off to see the wizard...now where the heck did Toto get off to?

Ken and I, off to see the wizard…now where the heck did Toto get off to?

Margaret, almost there, always one step ahead of us. Hey! Is she hitching a ride?

Margaret, almost there, always one step ahead of us. Hey! Is she hitching a ride?

We didn't go in the chateau, but the views all around it were stupendous.

We didn’t go in the chateau, but the views all around it were stupendous.

Another gorgeous view from Chateau de Berze.

Another gorgeous view from Chateau de Berze.

...and then we drove on to Berze-la-Ville. Never mind feet, I am seeing an awful lot of the backs of their heads!

…and then we drove on to Berze-la-Ville. Never mind feet, I am seeing an awful lot of the backs of their heads!

La Chapelle Des Moines de Berze-la-Ville. We went there to see the frescoes. Unfortunately I can only show you the exterior because they didn't allow any photography inside. I bought a photo of the frescoes themselves and can show it to you when next I see you.

La Chapelle Des Moines de Berze-la-Ville. We went there to see the frescoes. Unfortunately I can only show you the exterior because they didn’t allow any photography inside. I bought a photo of the frescoes themselves and can show it to you when next I see you.

A little blurb about the chapel and the frescoes.

A little blurb about the chapel and the frescoes.

On the road again, heading for Cluny and our first art- making -on -the -go test run.

On the road again, heading for Cluny and our first art-making-on-the-go test run.

Another stunning vista photographed from the back seat of the moving car. Got to do something back there to amuse myself other than looking at the backs of their heads!

Another stunning vista photographed from the back seat of the moving car. Got to do something back there to amuse myself other than looking at the backs of their heads!

First time! Out in the real world making art!

First time! Out in the real world making art!

No, we weren't alone, there were others around us enjoying this outdoor cafe - and providing the necessary opportunity for us to feel shy and self conscious and to find an excuse NOT to do it. But we were brave!

No, we weren’t alone, there were others around us enjoying this outdoor cafe – and providing the necessary opportunity for us to feel shy and self conscious and to find an excuse NOT to do it. But we were brave!

As always, Ken was our support system - he went and bought bread and dessert for the dinner guests we would have later that evening, then joined us at the cafe and took photos of us at work.

As always, Ken was our support system – he went and bought bread and dessert for the dinner guests we would have later that evening, then joined us at the cafe and took photos of us at work.

Debi's Baggie of art supplies. This is all that I took with me, nothing else.

Debi’s Baggie of art supplies. This is all that I took with me, nothing else.

Margaret's Baggie of art supplies.

Margaret’s Baggie of art supplies.

Debi's results. We set a timer for 15 minutes and stuck to that time limit.

Debi’s results. We set a timer for 15 minutes and stuck to that time limit.

Margaret's results. Would you guess that hers took a little longer than mine?

Margaret’s results. Would you guess that hers took a little longer than mine?

Our dinner party. Mostly in French! And I mostly listened! Margaret, Jacqueline, Genevieve.

Our dinner party. Mostly in French! And I mostly listened! Margaret, Jacqueline, Genevieve.

I didn't say much, but I smiled and nodded my head a lot! Ken, me, Marie-Helene.

I didn’t say much, but I smiled and nodded my head a lot! Ken, me, Marie-Helene.

Another dinner party photo - Jacqueline, Genevieve, and Ken.

Another dinner party photo – Jacqueline, Genevieve, and Ken.

A beautiful ending to a beautiful day.

A beautiful ending to a beautiful day.

Wait! We have to have at least ONE foot note! And this one comes with a sort of riddle to solve. There is something about these feet that is not usually done. Can you guess what it is?

Wait! We have to have at least ONE foot note! And this one comes with a sort of riddle to solve. There is something about these feet that is not usually done. Can you guess what it is?

Marie Fortin
September 1st, 2013 at 2:32 am

I think I see a different nail polish on each foot and possible worn off nail polish, with small toes coming out from the sides of the sandals.

I love all the artwork you guys are doing. It’s so nice to follow your adventure. Wish I were there with you. Hugs & Kisses.
Marie

September 1st, 2013 at 5:42 am

You’ve got it right Marie – a different color on each foot. But you have to share the as yet unknown prize with Laura. Thanks for sending a comment. I love knowing the blog is being read and that, in a way, all of you are here with me. Thanks too for the feedback on the art. You will be with us soon in Nice!

Marie Fortin
September 1st, 2013 at 2:32 am

I think I see a different nail polish on each foot and possible worn off nail polish, with small toes coming out from the sides of the sandals.

I love all the artwork you guys are doing. It’s so nice to follow your adventure. Wish I were there with you. Hugs & Kisses.
Marie

Laura
August 31st, 2013 at 10:00 pm

Can’t resist a quiz! Are there two different colors?

September 1st, 2013 at 5:38 am

That’s it -a different color of polish on each foot. But you will have to share the prize with Marie! What’s the prize? Hmmm…I seem to have neglected to plan that. I’ll get back to you on that one.

Hillary
August 30th, 2013 at 3:36 am

Hi Debi,
Would it be toe polish? 😉 I’m enjoying reading your posts… Hope you are having a wonderful time and I will see you when you get back to North Adams. Loving the photos as well!

August 31st, 2013 at 9:32 am

Hi Hillary, yes, the toe nail polish – but what about the polish exactly? Glad you are following this blog!! Thanks for commenting.

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