The Departure of Peter and Robbie

It's our last week in France and we're desperately trying to fit everything in before we go! Monday was our last day with Peter, so after going over some of our work plans with him in the morning, we took some pictures of the group as well as the Abbey grounds. Monday was also the most gorgeous day we've had since we arrived - over 70 degrees F and sunny! So after the workday, we met some of the students outside to get some sun on the Abbey lawn and kick the soccer ball around. Little did we know that there is a wonderful family-owned winery just a 3-minute walk out the back gate of the Abbey! We did a short wine-tasting before dinner with the owner, Cecile, who introduced us to wonderful Pontlevoy wine, and surprised us with the mouth-watering jellies they make using the wine. (We returned the next day to purchase several bottles each to bring home after we discovered we can check cases on the plane!) Our day ended with one of the best dinners any of us have ever had at the Chateau de Chissay, a restaurant sculpted into the caves that are partially integrated with a beautiful home on a hill.

After saying a sad goodbye to Peter (going back to work) and Robbie (going on vacation), we realized how much the weekend had improved our understanding of our approach to our project and continued to work on it on Tuesday. Later in the day we traveled to Cheverny, where we had an appointment to interview the owner, the Marquis de Vibraye, who has made his former home a wonderfully-run tourist attraction. He was incredibly knowledgeable, and we were surprised to learn that the chateau has been in his family for more than six centuries!

We've also found an amazing new friend who loves to play catch named Nelson (AKA Poulain) who is one of the nicest, most intelligent dogs we've ever met. He lives across the street next to Le Commerce, and frequently comes over to the Abbey grounds to play. We'll miss him when we're gone!