Le Bouysseu

Jacques and Richard are friends of Kates from Vermont who have become friends of mine over the years. I have done some work for them on their home in Royalton.. and old stagecoach inn. An antique house filled with antiques and artwork. That is their passion. Richard has a sign business in NY and has invested a lot in restoring this place in France over the last ten years. It was Kate, actually, who introduced them to this area in the time that she often came here. Jacques has put his efforts into the actual building and spends the greater time over here getting the work done.

The Dordogne is a region in South/Central France that is reminiscent for me of both Vermont and North Carolina. The Dordogne and Lot rivers defined the region as they cut through the ubiquitious limestone. There are many ancient villages, two of which I have gotten a pretty good tour of. It is rather touristic. Lots of 'campings' which are cabins for vacationers who come to be in the country. It is very wooded and lots of agriculture. Foie Gras is a major product of the region. Also tobacco, although that is fading. There is a goose/ foix-gras farm right here in this little hamlet of 6 or 8 houses.

J&R have created a magnificent restoration of an old place here. Only the top rooms in the attic are unfinished.. where I worked a bit with Jacque and Jervais, their carpenter/friend. A few pictures here with help tell the tale.

Richard is brash. He's a New Yorker after all and in business and successful and does not suffer fools. So when I act the fool I am not spared comment. He can and does turn on the charm with people and can be a lot of fun. And he has been very generous and considerate with meals and little things that I might need or want. Not to mention his intervention around my health when I was going to just push on. Jacques is quieter. I have gotten to know him better on this trip than in times past. A gift of working with someone. He has also been generous with his help when I needed transportation or translation.

The area is lovely, but the weather has not been congenial. Cold and cloudy and/or raining. Lots more to see in a touristic way, but I have gotten the flavor of this part of France. I am glad I accepted the invitation to come here and glad that I have a place to move on to. Staying another week or more might not have been for the best.