Redon Espic, L'Oratoire, Meeting Thierry, Searching cemeteries

When I planned this trip, I could not have dreamed all the wonderful and unique things that would happen for us.  Here are just a few.

Last night, we were in the home of our new friends, Jean Louis and Monique using their wifi. They were in the kitchen sitting at their table listening intently to a speech given by their new President, Francois Hollande over the  radio.  They are excited about the changes they hope he will make for France and it's people.  I felt privileged to get to witness that.

Before we left, Monique asked us if we knew about the little church in the woods and since we didn't, she told us the legend that in the 13th century, the Virgin Mary appeared to a 14 year old girl to tell her to build a church in the unlikely place in the middle of the woods.  Her parents did just that.  The church is one of few that survived the revolution because of it's solitude.  Later, in modern times (1850 is modern apparently to the French), a monastery was built and housed 20 monks.  It is gone today, but the truly amazing and beautiful church is still there. The sound really resonates in it.  I can imagine what singing sounds like in it.  Day and night candles burn there and it is always open.  Monique says it is very important to the local people.  Many go there for a time of solitude and prayer.

 This morning, Kurt and I decided to walk through the woods (about a mile or more) to try to find it.  After walking for around an hour, we came to a road and stood there wondering what to do.  Just then, the Mayor whom we'd met our first day happened by.  Of course, he pulled off the road to greet us.  The French people were so kind.  He and his passenger gentleman spoke little to no English but motioned to an oncoming vehicle to pull over too.   Which coincidentally, carried the President of Friends of Redon Espic, an organization that is responsible for the restoration of the church and the L'oratoire (place of the miracle itself).  He just left his car and said "allez" follow me.

                                                               Statue inside Redon Espic

                                                  Redon Espic

     
         













 













  

This has to be one of my favorite places on Earth.

                                                             Bible in the church window              

 He took us on a private tour and told us everything he knew about the event and church, showing us every little detail, including the fact that it was once painted red and white "like a formula car", and that there is an annual pilgrimage from the church to the L'Oratiore.  We were honored to be the beneficiaries of his knowledge and hospitality.

Then asked us to hop into his car and took us down to the L'oratiore.  There were several people there in prayer.  It was perfectly still and quiet.  He showed us that people write their prayers and put them in the walls of the stones.  The little stone hut is filled with candles, both lit and waiting to be used in prayer.  The walls are covered with varying size ceramic plaques that all read "Merci'"  I think that is beautiful.

Then he asked us if we had time to go to his house.  His land, his home and the many buildings were indescribable.  His estate overlooks St. Cyprian.  There were the prettiest fluffy chickens walking around.  There was a lovely pool with that gorgeous view.

                                                              Thierry's hillside estate

 He took us into his private wine cave (20,000 years old). There were so many bottles of wine. He and his wife have a gite that they rent out, and a separate building that houses a kitchen where he gives cooking lessons, a building that has a still and a rotisserie oven, housing all his jams and jellies. (He gave us a jar of his fig/vanilla jam)

Thierry's jams &    jellies & wine

Rain barrel used for watering and planting

View of St.Cyprien

Julie at Thierry's Place                                    Thierry gave us some vanilla fig jelly

Then took us into his home.  The french live modestly, but well.  He and his wife retired here from Paris, where he was the head of all France's public radio! He asked us to drive our car back there sometime soon to meet his wife, Katherine.  Then he drove us back home.  What a wonderful surprise morning!

His kitchen

Kurt and I are enjoying driving the little European car around the curvy country roads, listening to classical radio. We think we are going fast, but get honked at a lot.

Another little thing we do is stop at the larger cemeteries to see if we can find any "Reneaus".  None so far, but many families with names ending in eau.

French cemeteries are beautiful.  Many family members are sometimes buried in one tomb.

Today, while Kurt was on the weefee, looking for sites to visit, I got to help Monique plant in her lovely garden.  She showed me how to water their flowers while they are away on an upcoming trip to Italy.  I will post pictures of her garden later.  

Tonight, we are going to cook out with our American neighbors.

I know I keep saying this, but I never thought that I could love the time here so much, but truly ache for home.