Newsletter: Thoughts from a sunny Sunday in Azé
Sunday 22nd March 2009 - Annual Fair for all
As I sit here on the balcony and write this, the afternoon crowd are just starting to arrive for the "Foire".
Let me explain, here in Burgundy they still have the traditional 2 hours lunch break. It starts at 12.00 and finishes at 2.00 and happens every day of the week, not just the weekdays.
So after a massive crowd arrived this morning, it went very quiet for two hours and now so it starts again.
The Foire is an annual event and is selling all-sorts - some good some not so good! You can expect to find Antiques, Flea Markets, hand made jewellery, paintings and general boot fair stuff. We only managed to pick up some tennis balls for the dogs - bargain at €1 for three balls!!
The village is very pleased as the weather is superb and as it's the first Foire of the season, in our district, so attendance is very high.
For the first time this year, today we had lunch on the balcony, overlooking the village. Keep it up "Mr Sun" as this is what we like. The dogs had a good walk up in the local vines and the breeze was welcomed when we got to the top, especially after chasing tennis balls uphill.
Last week, we had Steve's daughter Emily-Jane and her partner, John, staying with us. As usual -we ate and drank too much but it was lovely to see them and the weather was good for the duration. We went to Lyon for the day - quite an experience by train and tram and we discovered the "Old Lyon" with delightful restaurant's and architecture- well worth a visit when you come over.
Work has started in the garden - the usual weeding and getting the vegetable patch ready. After a long winter it is lovely to see the trees in bud and the spring flowers popping through the ground - all the hard work last year in the garden is paying off, as it's looking lovely.
It is our aim to keep you up to date with what's going on here in Azé, so keep checking the website to see what we've all been up to.
Bye for now... going for a quick blast on "Bessie" (Suzuki 1400 - lovely!!) whilst the sun is shinning!!
Local Events
If you are thinking of a visit why not take a look at the events section and find out what is going on in this area - at the time of your proposed trip. There is something for everyone in this area - so it wouldn't be too hard to find that something that interests you.
Local customs
We've been made to feel so welcome by the locals in Azé, it takes twice as long to get down to the village as everyone here stops to say hello, with either a kiss or a shake of the hands. It's part of everyday life to be so polite and friendly and we are looking forward to the annual May feast for our commune, where meeting and greeting everybody takes so long but is so pleasant you don't mind. The food is great and conversation is a challenge, you take your own plate, cutlery and glasses but our friends and neighbours have helped us fit in so we don't feel too uneasy at this unusual event.
