France

Guys, summer is back! I'm back because I forgot the blog. The travel fatigue that had begun has long since disappeared and I'm back in my element. Oh and very important, the thick sweaters are now back at the back of the shelf.

The summer temperatures, bright blue skies, vineyards, stone houses, and the sweet scent of figs. Oh, how I love the south of Europe.

After Lou and David's wonderful wedding in Freiburg, we continued. Now we always have to follow our noses and head south. Our European tour continues in the south of Europe.

Bonjour Mademoiselle, je ne parle pas francais or something like that.

You can guess three times who had baguettes and croissants for breakfast the last few days. And those who have already enjoyed the large selection of cheese on site. Yes, that's right, we're in France. And yes, we love everything that has to do with cheese. From Camembert to Brie to Roquefort, a piece of baguette and a glass of wine and we are floating in seventh heaven. So you see, we're doing well.

A day of canoeing and a long hike will balance out the calories.

We spent the last few days in the Ardeche National Park, or near the Ardéche river. We made ourselves really comfortable at a campsite in Rosiéres. This time we even had two hammocks, so we finally didn't have to fight about space in the hammock anymore. David's childhood memories were awakened because he went on holiday here with his mother several times during his childhood. Despite some changes, he could still remember well.

There is now a pool with a slide on the campsite and you can no longer avoid paying due to a barrier. This was probably built after David and his mother's (unintentional) free stay of four days.

On our hike we walked through one of the many gorges in the area. Past meter-high rocks, along the river, through vineyards to the next village with narrow streets and cute shops. We took advantage of the next possible opportunity to swim to cool off from the heat. The sweet scent of figs, in the evening a tomato sauce with home-gathered thyme and bay leaves.

By the way, figs are not fully ripe if white juice comes out of the fruit.

The juice can cause skin irritation and the fruit can be poisonous.

...Well, we're still alive :)

The next day we went canoeing again. We actually had a hard time planning to do this in the Ardéche. Unfortunately, the water level was very low and critical in some places. For this reason we chose the Chassezac river, which was a little richer in water than the Ardeche.

I have to say that a canoe trip in the river is even more fun than in a lake! We drove 10km through the Chassezac, with stops for swimming, cliff jumping and a picnic (with baguette of course).

Cliff jumping actually sounds more dangerous than it is. Especially for me, so don't worry grandma. As the biggest fool at something like this, I just jump from one meter into the water, but then that's enough for me.

David is a little more confident, as he usually is. From 7 meters he plunged into the Chassezac. Awesome 7 meters, that seems like a lot to me. Well, in any case everything went well. Me too from the 1 meter cliff, thanks for asking!

But I have to proudly say that I didn't mind the rapids in the Chassezac at all, in fact I actually really enjoyed it! So, I could get on the boat again straight away!

Oh guys, it's just so beautiful. Canoeing through gorges, rocks on the right and left, sometimes in the middle of the water, so many beautiful places that invite you to swim, everyone is splashing around in the water or sizzling in the sun. The wet clothes are dry again within a short time and on the bus that took you back to the starting point you are just happy about the air conditioning.

Oh, I'm satisfied. You can tell I'm really enjoying this here. After a short winter in Norway, I'm really happy to be here, sitting in the shade in my top and shorts and enjoying the pleasant wind.

But back on topic, we had a really great canoe tour. I wonder if the dog is still trying to catch a fish today. While we were enjoying our picnic, he couldn't stop.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about our first stop in France.

At first I could have choked David. Christian community, church services 3 times a day, no cooking allowed and all for 30 euros per day. Huh, a huge question mark in my head. We want to stay here for two days??

Well, I have to admit it. The end of the song was 2 really nice days and I actually didn't really want to leave.

An ecumenical brotherhood was founded in Taizé with the intuition to experience a simple but intense, peaceful and religious togetherness. Youth groups regularly come to visit to spend a week together.

We had a glimpse here for 2 days and it was really nice. In the morning and evening we went to the service and ate together with the others. Workshops and other program items take place throughout the day. In order to experience this 100 percent, you definitely have to decide to stay here for a week. If you open yourself up to it, it's definitely a really great thing.

Ecumenical openness, spirituality and solidarity make up the special spirit of Taizé. All nations are welcome, Taize's own songs are sung in the church in all possible languages. Even young people and adults who are far from church are approached in Taize and suddenly find it exciting. Everything was so peaceful and beautifully done. It's a place where you kind of get grounded. A place without luxury. Simple but beautiful. I just like.

Our journey will continue. First a few more days in France, then we continue to Spain and via Spain to Portugal. So we still have plans, Bob hang in there!