Elders Workman and Hastings teaching at the center

Marseille at Night

The Carnival at Point Rouge

We live at the very far right of this photo in Montredon.

Chateau D'if

Chateau D'if by moon light

I did not have my remote with me for timed exposers, so it is a little blurry

Black and White in Sisteron, France

Aaron likes to photo wharfs, I like alley ways.  I am always in search of the most interesting alley way.  France is full of them.

Sisteron, France

We discovered this small ville by mistake.  Unfortunately they have a lot of NICE art gallery's.  This may cost me.  It was getting dark so not many photos.  This is a good dinner place.  Nice ambiance, very friendly people and a castle on the hill.  I will return.  Only an hour from Marseille.  We will only be here once in our life so we are making the most of our free time. 

Digne Les Bains

Château Tallard, France

Just a quick stop at the Chateau Tallard.  We were driving back from Gap and saw this Chateau on the road.  After a while you get a little particular about Chateaux because they are plentiful in France.  This one is from the 15 century.  They were having a concert at the chateau so the main courtyard was full of chairs and a stage and lighting equipment. 

The Chapel

The small ville of Tallard below the Chateau

View west from the chateau

Gap, France

So, by assignment from President Roney I had to go up to Gap to inspect the Elders apartment.  So We made a day of it visiting some smaller villes in between Gap and Marseille.  Gap is located in the French Alps.  It is a pretty ville but all I had was my ipad to take pictures with.  Also it was the wrong time of day to get anything good.  We did score a good baguette and some pastries.  Mom and Jared went Soldes shopping.   For those of you who are not familiar with Soldes, it is a country wide discount time for all the stores.  Everyone gets excited when Soldes comes around in February and July.

Teaching in French

So,......... I gave the lecon in French at Family Home Evening ce soir.  Aaron! notice my lips.  I am working hard at my language skills, but fall far short of my goals.  Learning a new language at my age is difficult.  For me, I speak better than I understand and Jeannine understands more that she can speak.  I don't get that.  So together we do all right.  I just look at her and ask, "What did she say".  Then I can answer.  I am starting to recognize the Marseille accent from the northern accent.  The JA help with our language all the time and are a great support to us and for some odd reason they love us very much.  Next week I am giving the lesson in High Priest Group.  I am glad Jared is here.  I will need his help.  For some reason they think I can speak and understand French.  What they don't know is half the time I don't know what I am saying.  I just throw it out there and see if I get a response.  It's a crap shoot at best.  Anyway, we love the members here and are becoming a part of the ward.  I am allowed to bisou so I am kissing a lot of men. 

Valencesole and the Lavender Fields.

Jeannine, Jared and I went up to north Provence to a place called Valensole.  it is about an hours drive from Marseille.  It is famous for growing Lavender in France.  I walked the entire length of a lavender field and the fragrance of the Lavender I will never forget.  It is truly difficult to describe the feel of this region.  It lies at the foot of the French Alps near Gap, France.    You can see in one of the photos where the lavender fields end and the mustard field begins.  As I walked through the field smelling the lavender and feeling the hot provincial sun it was bought to my attention of how special this place is.  This region has been growing lavender for 2000 years.  Ever since the Romans were here and used the lavender for medicinal purposes.  It is much like where we live in Gilroy except lavender is purple and smells much better.  They grow everything here; wheat, sunflowers, lavender, olives, grapes, tomato's and a plethora of herbs.  So if anyone ever decides to come and visit us I suggest July-August for a visit.    The Lavender Festival is in mid August in a small ville called Digne le Bains, France.

Valensole, France

Plateau de Valensole

Sun Flowers

Mustard

This one is a little blurred because Jared took it while driving.  It was just field after field of lavender.

Family Night Marseille

This was an after lesson activity with the JA of Marseille.  Our family night has become a big draw now.  We had 3 investigators to this nights activities.  14 in all came.  That is good for France.  When we first arrive we had 8 showing up for family night activities.  When school is in we pull in about 16-18 JA. 

The Cigale of Provence