… which wasn’t entirely planned. Ooops! The thing is, our rental car is only insured whilst driving within France. So what we had planned, albeit rather last minute, was to make the two hour drive eastwards towards Geneva, park somewhere close to the border and then see if we could ‘pop over’ on foot and have a wee look around – maybe at the lake and possibly around Geneva CBD. As the accommodation at our next stop, Valence, was not going to be available until 4pm, we thought it might be a good way to use the day. The weather was beautiful and we had such a lovely drive again through the countryside and villages. Until we drove on a bridge over a river and …

all of sudden Clive says “Oops, we’re in Switzerland!” And then we both laughed. I mean, how many times in your life do you say that?!

We quickly turned around and drove back – into France (teehee, that’s so crazy), along the border for about twenty kilometres. Clive parked the car in a small French town which was close to Geneva and this time we walked back over the boarder, stopped – had a think – realised that downtown Geneva and the lake were an hour’s walk away… and then decided that, as we still had another four hours of driving to Valence, simply stepping into Switzerland was in fact enough for us this time and the beautiful drive there had been totally worth it.

So onto Valence we headed. Incredibly varied scenery. Such a joy.

I actually started my account of today half way through it. This morning, after leaving Meximieux, we drove six minutes along the road to the medieval town of Perouges. It’s important that I tell you about this, not only because it is truly one of the most beautiful places I have seen in France so far, but also because I have decided to live here. In fact, I have found the actual house I will live in. It is Saskia’s house. She lives above her ceramics store. Her address is (and you will need this for when you come to visit me or for correspondence) Art & Design, Au Coeur de la Cite Medievale, Rue du l’or, 01800 Perouges, France. She doesn’t know that I will be living there with her and her husband yet, but we got on really well today so I’m sure she won’t mind.

This is Saskia in her shop. She’s holding a heart “to send her love to New Zealand”. Her ceramic jewellery and other crafts were absolutely lovely, as was she. And Cite Medievale is the sweetest village ever. Ever, ever! And as well as the beautiful streets, houses, doors, windows, roses, boulangeries, patisteries and a very friendly cat – there was also a choir practising. And it sounded so lovely. Sigh.

And now, from Valence, I say bonne nuit. Good night. xx