Waking to a chilly morning, we were grateful for the warm radiators in our little apartment. They kept us very cozy as we sipped our coffee. Craig enjoyed his online newspaper while I composed a couple of email messages for loved ones back home.
We joined Desmond for a bit of grocery shopping, and of course we had to pick up some pastries on our way home. I chose a lemon turnover which was delightful.
Around noon, we made our way to the Rue de Bourgogne so that we could have lunch at Chez Ming. It had definitely become a tradition for us during every visit to Orléans. It was good to see Miranda again. She always makes us feel very welcome and it’s obvious that she has a genuine affection for Des. As usual, the freshly prepared food was wonderful.
In the afternoon, we met up with Desmond’s friend and colleague, Isobel, at a new tea shop called Ex Libris. We enjoyed tea and hot chocolate in a cozily cluttered atmosphere stuffed with books, art, unique decorative objects, and charming mismatched furniture. Festive Christmas decorations added to the ambiance. The service was slow, but we chalked it up to the staff still learning the ropes at a fledgling business. The four of us visited comfortably, chatting about the holidays and our upcoming journey to Lyon. I don't know why I didn't take pictures in the tea shop, because it really was very charming.
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| Cathedral St Croix on a misty day. |
That evening, Chris came over for dinner, bringing his toddler son along. We were delighted to see them both. Robin was adorable and very entertaining; we loved hearing him chatter in a mixture of French and English. Our apéro of chips, sausage, and pate en croute was accompanied by a refreshing fruity beer. That was followed by Desmond's delicious pot au feu, served with bread, butter and mustard. We talked, laughed, and lingered around the table for quite some time, and finished the meal with Christmas goodies of chocolates and “puppy chow”.
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| Desmond relaxing at home. |
