The road goes on and on taking us further and further into the French countryside.The mountains softened into rolling hills then turned into flat land. Red roof tiles became black slate, poppies gave way to mustard fields. The sky opened up, horizons with cotton clouds, the sun glared through the window briefly, the day unfolded and we met it with open arms.
The ever changing landscape, it felt as if I were making it up, as I painted it with my thoughts. Fast strokes at first as I raced from one project in my mind to another. Eventually as the days filtered into one, my paint brush blurred the colors I left behind, creating a new scene to plant my new found calm.
Isn't that the gift of a holiday... time to feel anew?
I have fond memories, well actually I am saying that but it isn't true, I have memories that I can now laugh about... You see Yann and I often drove from Paris to Rennes, to visit his family when we were first married. We never took the same road twice... mainly because we were lost... though at the time I didn't know it, 'cause Yann never admitted it, and I was in a daze to the newness around me.
A few times we slept in the car, because we were so lost, and it was late, and we had no money for a hotel. Our car was the size of a peanut.
Being lost because you want to be is not the same as being lost.
Hours lost wasn't as fun when we were suppose to be somewhere, and well, never showed up on time.
Driving these back roads from Paris to Rennes I wondered how it was, that I had never passed this way before?
Often we come upon this sign:
Deviation, which means detour in French.
It adds to the adventure. Now, or at least on this trip, whenever a deviation sign appears I take it as a sign that something wonderful is ready to show up.
This deviation was because of a bicycling race. I thought of my brother Mat because he rides his bike nearly everyday.
While we watched the race (a big loop) another man stood by and watched it too. Soon we started talking, his son was in the race. He told us he grew up in this area. He noticed our license plates and asked us what part of Provence were we from. We told him we lived in a small town near Marseille. He grinned, "I spent a summer in a small town near Marseille..." and when he said he worked in the town we live in we became instant friends.
He had all kinds of stories, I felt I was listening to Marcel Pagnol, he talked about the river, pastis, les boules, ratatouille, the ladies... and the dances late in the summer evening. It made me miss a place I call home.
Our new friend told us about the area. He mentioned how all the land that we could see was owned by one woman, "She was richer than rich, yet she died with a sack of potatoes on her head..."
I interrupted him, and ask, "What did you mean by a sack of potatoes on her head?" I had never heard that expression before.
"The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.”
"Imagine all that money and yet she was unhappy. Her home is abandoned..." he pointed to a large property nearby.
As the cyclists rode around and around, we talked and talked, and the day slipped by.
Oh, the simple unthought-of moments, the purest of gifts, when one has time for the unexpected and welcome it like a long-time friend.
The open space calls me,
a cloud passes by,
I took hold of wisp of it,
as strong as any current I know,
I don't know where we are going, and that makes me smile.
The new friend is very smart and intuitive. What a nice surprise for your paths to have crossed. Serendipity?
Maybe, maybe not. But delicious none the less.
Posted by: Jude | 06 June 2013 at 12:21 AM
What a beautiful post. Sigh..blue skies and France, I'm swept off my feet again. I love hearing other's stories from the past. Sometimes that is all we have to hang onto.
Posted by: Rhonda | 06 June 2013 at 03:36 AM
I loved this post! Oh those clouds and blue skies and the joy felt in the unexpected. Enjoying your journey with you.
Posted by: Momof5 | 06 June 2013 at 04:31 AM
Wonderful post! What a magical feeling your vacation has! I think I'm enjoying it almost as much as you.
Posted by: Christine | 06 June 2013 at 04:38 AM
Beautiful!
Posted by: kelleyn | 06 June 2013 at 05:05 AM
Road trips are fun for me too. It allows one to reflect, it could be adventurous and magical. Serendipity is always the best especially meeting people and learning about their stories. Thank you for sharing this story.
Posted by: Pamela RG | 06 June 2013 at 05:21 AM
Oh, how lovely!
Posted by: pattyg | 06 June 2013 at 05:49 AM
You write so well, Corey. I am enjoying this trip with you so very much, thankyou!
Posted by: Barbara in Sydney | 06 June 2013 at 06:09 AM
Sometimes deviations are a good thing. We found several when traveling the back roads in France. Your words and thoughts are so poetic and thoughtful. I really appreciate them.
Posted by: Marilyn | 06 June 2013 at 07:02 AM
Throw out those guidebooks, let your mood and sense of adveture guide you! PS. And resist those GPS!
Posted by: jend'isère | 06 June 2013 at 07:09 AM
Ahhh, the wisdom of Marcel! Next time I am in the presence of an unhappy person I'll think of that sack of potatoes on their head and try to keep from collecting one on my own head! Thanks for the reminder.
I'm certainly enjoying this trip with you. It always brings a smile. I can hardly wait for the next day.
Posted by: Marjorie Sue | 06 June 2013 at 08:11 AM
Loving traveling with you! That Yann is so lucky to have you! Spend the night in a car the size of a peanut! Hmmm. Not this cowgirl. Love your sense of adventure.
Posted by: TEXAS FRANCOPHILE | 06 June 2013 at 09:07 AM
I love France. Thank you for this.
I was in France last month with a girlfriend and we rented a car and took turns driving those big, empty country roads. We had such a good time. ***sigh***
Posted by: kim | 06 June 2013 at 09:08 AM
Detours are meant to take up on new paths, literally and metaphorically - enjoy the rest of your trip!
Posted by: 24/7 in France | 06 June 2013 at 09:30 AM
Oh, so lovely! I am at work, in the office, and reading this just made my day :) Thank you
Posted by: Milena | 06 June 2013 at 10:16 AM
Detours can be surprising.
I would have loved to listen to that man and his stories...
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 06 June 2013 at 11:52 AM
Get lost is the reason why I don't like organized vacations and trips. I choose a country, a place and then a time to visit but that's it, I hardly program things to do and to see, I like to wandering around and see where my feet bring me...
Posted by: Gracie | 06 June 2013 at 02:03 PM
I am liking these wandering posts so much, Corey. I hope you're as relaxed and in the moment as it appears. Lap up every moment!
Posted by: Star | 06 June 2013 at 05:10 PM
Wish I were there. How relaxing and fun!
Posted by: Sara | 06 June 2013 at 05:51 PM
deviations, what a wonderful word! Especially since you met the divine man + his stories + what a delightful trip. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Posted by: Peggy Braswell | 06 June 2013 at 07:33 PM
Love the arm chair. Woo Hoo! A bike race!!! Allez!
Posted by: Brother Mathew | 06 June 2013 at 09:21 PM
Do you and your new ami have mutual friends in your village? Annie, peut être?
Posted by: Kathie B | 06 June 2013 at 11:15 PM
love all your 'roaming France' posts.....plz. keep them coming. Sel
Posted by: Sel | 07 June 2013 at 01:42 AM
All of it beautiful...
Posted by: Eileen | 07 June 2013 at 02:26 AM
I love your stories. They are so romantic and filled with whimsy. xo
Posted by: Gale | 17 June 2013 at 09:50 PM