Back to Bassac

This time around, Bassac felt familiar and yet entirely different – this time we had the pleasure of being accompanied by my parents, of visiting with Pam and Fred and witnessing the astonishing transformation of France in bloom.

The Hundred Years War: Sarajevo – June 28, 1914

For Molly and I, what started as a trip to southern France, has transformed into one giant history lesson about Europe’s darkest 32 years. Everywhere on this continent there is death, loss, violence and destruction.

Adam’s Top 8 Favorite Days (thus far)

I’ve been thinking about favorite days in Europe now that we are almost half way through our trip. Here’s the little list I came up with:

Cognac and Pineau

We left Bassac two weeks ago and I’m very much missing most everything about France but most of all I miss cognac and pineau des charentes, made only in our region and plentiful in all the local stores.

French Wine and Cheese (from the supermarket)

General de Gaulle once said: “How can anyone govern a nation that has 246 types of cheese?” His challenge was our splendor and indeed, the cheese aisle in the supermarket is truly a map of France.

La Bonne Femme: Béchamel sauce

Béchamel sauce is one of the mother sauces of France. It’s a simple sauce to top off meat and vegetables and it’s a great way to revive your leftovers with a soul food flare.

French History: The Charente River

The Charente River flows from the Limousin region of France and westward through into the Atlantic Ocean. It has provided the backdrop for many important moments in the history of Western France.

8 French Grocery Store Favorites

In the French Intermarché grocery storechain where we do all of our grocery shopping, you can buy a flat screen t.v., new pajamas, kitchen appliances, school supplies, a sewing kit and jewelry, all in one fell swoop.

Dune du Pilat and Cap Ferret

Southwest of Bordeaux, at the entrance to the Bay of Arcachon, there is a giant sand dune called Dune du Pilat. The Dune seems benevolent enough but it’s consumed houses and is in the process of suffocating trees. Dunes can be so cruel.

La Bonne Femme: Crêpes

For the record, before I came to France it was my belief that crêpes are highly overrated and that specialty crêpe restaurants in the U.S. are doomed to fail, much like the overpriced cupcake store.