I will continue with part 2 of the drive (through France) back to our home, and the places we visited, in the next post, but meanwhile I wanted to tell you about our meeting with Leon and Sue from Australia.
Several months ago, I read on Leon's blog that they were coming to France for a holiday, to celebrate Sue's 60th. She had been given the choice of a diamond or a French holiday, and Sue, with no hesitation, picked the holiday. Soon Leon was planning their trip and he mentioned that they were hoping to visit Oradour-sur-Glane, which is not too far from us. We had said that we did not want to go there again as it is such a heartbreaking place, but the thought of missing Leon and Sue was too strong to overcome, so we made our way to the sad remains of the village last Tuesday morning. We had just parked our car, when another car parked just behind us and I recognised the pair from photos on their blog. Excitedly, we said our bonjours and immediately started chatted about mutual interests, particularly cycling.
We made our way down to the village and walked quietly around, talking about the tragic massacre which took place there in 1944. I am not going to add more photos, as I have written about Oradour-sur-Glane before - see my link above, but you might find it interesting to get Leon and Sue's impressions of the village at this post.
The only photo of the village I will add is the one that I took of Leon and Sue next to the remains of the village doctor's car.
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On leaving the village we drove into the new town of Oradour-sur-Glane, where we found a small cafe where we could have lunch. We were talking so much that the waiter had to return three times before he managed finally to get an order from us! He also kindly offered to take a photo of the four of us, which you can see below.
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We sadly said goodbye to Sue and Leon after the all-too-short lunch, as they made their way off to Chinon and make contact with more bloggers. It was really good fun to meet up with this entertaining couple from Australia. I am certain that with the common interests of cycling, food, wine, France and of course blogging, we are sure to keep in touch.
Leon is keeping his blog pretty much up to date while they are travelling around and I recommend that if you love France, that you take a look. They still have another week in Paris before returning, so there will be lots to read about. See link at the top of this post.
For 'My Life before Charente' see HERE updated 23 May 2012
Nice that you folks got to meet Diane - yes, as Froggy says: Time is fun when you're having flies ... :)
ReplyDeleteHi Diane .. what a lovely meeting - looks fun too.
ReplyDeleteThough obviously the history was not - terrible things we've done to fellow human beings through the centuries.
Love the red check tablecloth and icy bottles of vino .. cheers Hilary
Graham we really have been quite lucky meeting up with bloggers from elsewhere, I just need to do that trip to Nam!!
ReplyDeleteI would then be happier than a frog in a rain storm..... :) Diane
Hilary it was really fun to meet up with blog friends from the other side of the world. One of those bottles was water :) Two of the four had to drive!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, people do terrible things to other people and what for? Just look around the world today and it is still going on in some places, terrible.
Take care Diane
G'day - its us again. The four of us now have some treasured memories to take away with us. Thanks for meeting us. Looks like we may be back in 2014 for three or four months as we have an offer from more friends in the Loire that will come to Australia and need house sitters. I expect it will coincide with retirement.
ReplyDeleteI just love reading about other bloggers meeting up. So nice that they are just as fun and interesting as their blog. It's also nice living in an area where peple like to visit! You all look well Diane, take care.
ReplyDeleteLeon and Sue it was really good meeting up with you and even better news that you may be back so soon. If it all comes about we can make all sorts of plans :)) Diane & Nigel
ReplyDeleteLyndsey it is so nice to find out that people are exactly hope you expected them to be. So far I have had no shocks :) Thanks for the kind comment Diane
ReplyDeleteSo much fun to meet blog friends! I had the best time last month with a friend (was a blog friend, but now...just a friend a met via a blog)!
ReplyDeleteI've visited a few historical sites I've found disturbing, so I can only imagine the feelings you have when you see something as horrific as this!
Deb from WhatsInMyAttic, sadly Sue and Leon are a bit far away for us to see them often, but if they return in 2014 as they hope we have something to look forward to. Thanks for visiting the original post I have also answered there. Take care Diane
ReplyDeleteIt is always fun to meet fellow bloggers.
ReplyDeletegreetings from Costa Rica my dear Dianne, what i beautiful post and meeting. what a emosion and ilusion just to think about meeting other bloggers eh. I am sure that you all spent a great time, short but unforgetable.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings my dear.
Great pictures by the way
It's the best meeting other bloggers love it
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you have managed yet again to meet some wonderful bloggers. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. xx
ReplyDeleteGaelyn it is wonderful and each one that I have met have been exactly as I expected. Diane
ReplyDeleteWalkiria, definitely unforgettable and of course we will be keeping in touch until they come here again for a holiday. It was such fun meeting Sue and Leon.
ReplyDeleteTake care and I hope that you soon feel better. Hugs Diane
Rebecca I could not agree more, blogging has opened up a whole new world of friends. Diane
ReplyDeleteJoyful although we visited a sad place we enjoyed each others company over a meal and a bottle of wine later ;) Diane
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you could meet! That car is amazing... I think I like it more like this than how it must have looked when it was new... of course the doctor would have needed it working!
ReplyDeleteIt's a small blogging world isn't it? Glad you could meet up like that. I wish I was heading for Chinon and not just for the wine - although a lightly chilled glass would go down well right now.
ReplyDeleteOradour-sur-Glane is one of the most moving and haunting places I've ever visited. It's a place I'll never forget.
How exciting that you were able to meet fellow bloggers from so far away. We have been to Oradour-sur-Glane several times over they years -- mostly because visitors have wanted to go there. It's a bit of a trek from our house in the Lot, but it is always worth the effort as we find the place so very moving.
ReplyDeleteAnn there are so many cars around the place but this one is the most famous because it is in the main square. Diane
ReplyDeletePhil we have yet to see Chinon but we will get there.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more, the place is very eerie to me as well as haunting. I feel quite spooked both times I have been there. Diane
The Broad the chances of meeting up with bloggers from the other side of the world is small so we were very happy.
ReplyDeleteI have managed to send visitors to O-sur-G alone since our first visit, but this we could not avoid if we wanted to meet Leon and Sue. In face I was not sorry to walk around again, but I will give it a break again now after this visit. Diane
I just discovered your blog. I am so glad that I did.
ReplyDeleteOh, such a great fun meeting up blogger friends. I'm sure they enjoy every moment of it as well. Btw, you look stunning on that photo.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy & have a great week ahead.
Blessings
Kristy
Hello Diane:
ReplyDeleteWe have visited Oradour-sur Glane many years ago and it did leave a very deep and lasting impression with us. What we found very distressing was the sight of Germans taking photographs there.
You obviously had a wonderful time with Leon and Sue.It is, we think, such an excitement meeting up with fellow bloggers and clearly you all had a wonderful time together.
Mary I am glad that you discovered me. Thanks for the visit and the comment. Hope to see you back soon. Take care Diane.
ReplyDeleteKristy thanks for the very kind comment. It was such great fun meeting up with more bloggers. It is amazing how a whole new world has opened up through my blog. Take care Diane
ReplyDeleteJane and Lance, I agree can you just imagine causing all that slaughter and then taking photos!
ReplyDeleteAll that apart, it was great meeting up with Sue and Leon and we hope they will be back in the not too distant future. Diane
hi Diane, I have just left a message on Leon and Sue's blog, telling them how we met!!! So lovely when you connect well through blogging :-) take care xx
ReplyDeleteGreat that you can hook up with Leon and Sue! Life is too short and relationships are what makes a life healthy and wealthy.
ReplyDeleteAnne thanks for going to Leon's blog he loves getting comments and for some unknown reason he does not get a lot. I am sure that you will enjoy his next few posts, they will all be about Paris while he is there for the next week. Hope you are still doing well. Will be in touch Diane xx
ReplyDeleteStephen how right you are Keep well Diane
ReplyDeleteDear Diane! What a great meeting, so happy to read you got to meet these friends, too sad you had to go back to Oradour-Sur-Glane, but you really had to go.
ReplyDeleteYou sure got a lot of rain on your way back, but I suppose now you're enjoying some good weather. Take care, Pamela
Pamela that drive back through the UK was not much fun but at least we arrived safely.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to meet Sue and Leon, I hope to catch up with them again when they visit (I hope) in 2014.
Take care Diane
How lovely to meet up with other bloggers and so good you got on so well.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a very emotive place to visit. I can understand you not been keen on going again.
Looks like you both enjoyed meeting bloggers from so far away, even though it was at such a sad place. I still can't decide whether to visit or not even though I feel I should.
ReplyDeleteUne belle rencontre. Génial.
ReplyDeleteA bientôt
How fun to meet with a fellow blogger. It looks like you had a nice time.
ReplyDeleteI think meeting up with other bloggers is so much fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, so nice to have the opportunity meet up with other bloggers. All of you look great in the photo. I'm sure all of you had lots of fun chatting. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteI personally had meet 2 blogger in my hometown here, it sure very fun. A few others I communicate with them over the phone no doubt we've yet to meet up due to distance.
Have a nice day. Regards.
Ellie thanks for the comment, yes there are so many memories haunting the town it is not easy to take it all in. It was though great to meet Leon and Sue. Diane
ReplyDeleteKerry the decision is entirely yours. I am glad that I have seen it but I did say I would never want to go a second time. We could have just met Leon and Sue for lunch afterwards but we wanted to spend as much time together as we could so.... Hope all is well with you both. Diane
ReplyDeleteNadji, Nous avons apprécié la journée tellement. à bientôt. Diane
ReplyDeleteWords Of Deliciousness we did have fun meeting up with Leon and Sue and we hope they will be over here again in the not too distant future. Diane
ReplyDeletePam you are so right, everyone we have met so far we have got on so well with. Take care Diane
ReplyDeleteAmelia it is amazing how we meet people through blogging that we would never have met under normal circumstances. What a lovely world out there. Take care Diane
ReplyDeleteOne of the joys of blogging has been meeting other bloggers around the world. I even met up with an Aussie blogger in Paris, both of us far from home.
ReplyDeleteI know that you four had a delightful time and you were generous to share that with us with your photos.
Bises,
Genie
That's nice. And I like the remains of the car.
ReplyDeleteI've yet to meet a fellow blogger - sounds and looks like you had a great time!
ReplyDeletemary x
Hello Diane, thank you for stopping by. My condolences to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI've been very busy lately and didn't get a chance to post anything. Loved your flowers... How is the garden coming along?
It is great to meet bloggers, that you've been following for a while. It happened to me as well. We didn't really know each other but it felt like we did.
ReplyDeleteWhat Should I Eat For Breakfast Today?
Genie, Leon and Sue are in Paris at the moment but I guess you have not been following each other. I did give Leon your blog address the other day but it may have been too late.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is great fun meeting up with other bloggers, I have a whole new list of friends :) Take care Diane
JM it was a fun day meeting up with Leon and Sue sadly it was all too short! Diane
ReplyDeleteMary (Mum's kitchen) I hope that you get to meet up with some soon. Each and every person I have met have been just how I expected them, and I have felt as if we have known each other for years. Take care Diane
ReplyDeleteMARCO PASHA I know the feeling when there is so much to do but I was a little worried as I had not heard anything from you. Glad to hear that all is well.
ReplyDeleteThe garden is very slow this year, the very bad winter, the worst in over 50 years, has set everything back in a big way. We will get there though:) Keep well Diane
polypop, thanks so much for the visit and the comment. It is quite amazing how each blogger I have met we felt as if we have known each other for years. Hopefully I will be meeting a whole lot more very soon :) Diane
ReplyDeleteHow fun to actually meet a virtual friend! Looks like you had a wonderful time. It's so fun that we can make friends all over the world through blogging!
ReplyDeleteThe Café Sucré Farine, it is so great when a virtual friend becomes a real friend. It amazes me what a wide world has opened up since I started blogging :) Diane
ReplyDeleteMust have been great meeting with Aussie bloggers!
ReplyDeleteA sad visit indeed to Oradour but you had pleasure sharing lunch!
Hurray for Sue and her good decision on her choice, well done!
I wish them both a happy trip in France!
Thanks Diane for sharing!
Keep well, cheers!
It is always great fun to meet up with fellow bloggers, especially those you have become friends with by commenting back and forth. It looks like you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteNoushka I agree it is a great decision to visit France, I would have done the same. It was a fun meeting. We had a good time with them. Take care Diane x
ReplyDeleteMichel a great day was had by the four of us, and we hope to meet up again when they make another trip to France in the not too distant future. Diane
ReplyDeletehi diane, it's always nice to meet someone after communicating with them for some time, i think it's a wonderful thing to able to meet up with bloggers, moreover they've come all the way from aust. just curious when you mentioned abt the town, went in to your old post on that, i assume that it's already a dead town and no one's living there already, right? it's such a sad thing reading about the bit story of the killing happened there.
ReplyDeleteLena, the town is as it was left in 1944, other than obviously removing all the bodies and making it safe for people to walk around. As you call it, it is a dead town. There is a new town that was built right next door which is very much alive.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to meet Leon and Sue though and have lunch in the new town. Diane
How lovely for you to meet up with such lovely people and fellow bloggers. I loved the photo of you all having lunch together. I loved meeting you and look forward to meeting up again. x
ReplyDeleteI would love to know others bloggers so funI love heard about Leon and Sue, so nice you knew them Diane, xxx
ReplyDeleteHi dear Diane only to say you I have a problem with my post yrsterday so today I will post my rustic aapple pie, sorry:)
ReplyDeleteSue was smart. I would have picked France also. Isn't it fun to meet other bloggers? I just returned from a blogger get-together and we had such fun visiting. It's nice to visit with people you have so much in common with.
ReplyDeleteSam
Diane, I love meeting y blogger friends in person. There is not meeting that I have not enjoyed myself. Probably because of we already knew each other online for sometime, when meet in person, there is no reservation and we connect immediately and chat like old friends. I wish I can come your way someday or vice versa and there is doubt we will have a great time together. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteDiane, that sounds like a wonderful meeting for you all. What a fun day! Smart choice that Sue made with the trip! That's a great photo of you---the colors you are wearing look perfect for you!!!
ReplyDeleteI, too, will someday pay hommage to Oradour Sur Glen.
ReplyDeleteI once met a woman who had escaped with her little brother after hiding in a cellar for days…
Thank you for your kindest comments. Everytime I arrived home my Belxa would come from his “work” for quick greetings before resuming his activities. Now when I arrive home I think of your comment “His head is within our hand in his old way” I feel himthere at my arrival. THANK YOU.
THAT dog knew to work as hard as he did for my husband to be able to recover from his cancer surgery and treatments; I just know it .
Froggy I am confident that we will meet up again in the not too distant future :) Meanwhile take care Diane xx
ReplyDeleteGloria it was so good to meet up with Leon and Sue. I will pop over in a minute to see your apple pie recipe, thanks. Take care Diane
ReplyDeleteSam I have to agree, a holiday in France would have beaten a diamond any day for me as well. It amazes me how much we have in common with each blogger we have met to date. I guess though we would not follow each other's blogs if we did not have something in common:) Diane
ReplyDeleteQuay Po Cooks hope that one day you will come in our direction, it would be fun to meet up. Take care Diane
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam for the kind comments. I love purple but in fact I seldom wear it!! It was a fun meeting Leon and Sue and we hope to meet up again in the not too distant future. Keep well Diane
ReplyDeletelabergerebasque, I hope that your good memories last forever. It is always difficult to loose a four legged friend and especially one so young. Wishing you and your husband all the best, and I hope that you soon find another sheepdog who learns to be as faithful. Good luck Diane
ReplyDeleteI think Sue sounds my kind of person altogether with her choice of a trip to France (over a diamond ring)!
ReplyDeleteI think meeting other bloggers you follow is probably the best thing about blogging, and I look forward to meeting you one day.
As Froggy said, the photo of you at the restaurant is lovely. X
Thanks Dolly. We really enjoyed meeting Leon and Sue especially as we had cycling in common, there was lots to talk about. It was a good day Diane x
ReplyDeleteHow fun to meet your blog friends from Australia; now that trip to France was a fabulous 60th birthday gift to her.
ReplyDeleteI am following you (your blog) back :)
Terra I am just amazed how many people I have now met through blogging, and even now from the opposite side of the world :) Diane
ReplyDeleteWasn't that a wonderful visit? I found the village very sad to look at and just thinking what these people felt..God Bless them all. I can never understand a hatred so deep for another human being, to do this terrible deed.
ReplyDeleteIn one way, it is good to see, to keep a reminder of what can happen when minds get sick with hate..
Thanks for sharing..but with the sad came the happy..you had a wonderful meeting with your blogger friends. xoCarolyn
Carolyn thanks for your comment, it is very hard to believe what man is capable of...... Diane
ReplyDelete