Jen's Journey: April 2006

Sortie, a day trip to Chateau de la Barben

Here I am, with my friends from the D family. We went on a "sortie" or outing/day trip to the Barben's Castle, about 40 mins outside of Marseille. It was next to a zoo, but we just saw the castle. It was about a 40 mins tour, in French, involving a lot of French history which I am not at all familiar with. It was built before the year 1000, and was first acquired by the monks of St Victor's Abbey of Marseilles. It was property of King Rene. It was sold in 1474 to Jean de Forbin and was kept in the family for 500 years. They turned it into a country residence in the 17th C.
I mostly enjoyed looking at the fabulous paintings, intricate woodworkings, and the 16th C. furniture. Plus, the highlight...getting to see a real princess's dress, in embroidered silk. Wow. Didn't look comfortable at all, but it was gorgeous. : ) Sorry, no pictures of the inside, it wasn't allowed! Dang! After storming the castle, including a tour of the kitchen, prison, bread baking room, and gardens, we had a gouter (snack) and then drove back into the city. A good day out had by all!
One thing that surprised me about the castle, is that it was still inhabited by a family and was completely modern beyond the displays that we saw. I'm not sure I'd want to live in a castle that's been around since 1000, it was a little chilly, even on this fine sunny day. But given the choice, I'd have to give it a chance. As long as I was treated like a princess.

Chateau de la Barben

There was an earthquake that cracked the rock that the castle was built on. However, the tower remains balanced somewhat precariously on the remaining outcropping of rock...until the next earthquake! Look at that blue sky!

Chateau de la Barben, front entrance

Garden and Fountain

Strange Sightings

Well, folks, I've seen my share of bizarre things on my way to and from work. A couple wearing matching lilac ski pants, a little girl in a wedding dress, mini-dog dressed up in a Scottish sweater, I could go on. But I think we have a winner here! This morning, I saw 2 female peacocks, casually strutting their way through a parking lot, pecking at the asphalt every few feet, as if there was bird seed or something to eat. It's not like there was a petting zoo or anything nearby. I can't imagine where they came from, or who they belong to. But they made me stop mid-stride and I stared at them for a few minutes. Also strange, I seemed to be the only one thinking that 2 female peacocks aimlessly wandering around a busy urban parking lot was strange.
Perhaps at the end of my stay in France, I will compile all the weird and wonderful things I've seen on my walks, and then you can vote on what wins as the weirdest of the weird. Stay tuned!

My church, in the town Plan de Cuques

This isn't a typical Protestant church building in France. Most are much smaller, but the land and building were donated to the church. It used to be a family home. Has a kitchen, sunday school rooms downstairs and a large enough sanctuary to squish 80 or more people in for a Good Friday Easter banquet. : )

Hugeonot Cross on pulpit in my church, made of marble

Inside of my church, Easter banquet for 80 people

Wisteria at church

View from the hill of our picnic spot

Went for a picnic in the countryside after church today with 3 families. It was a bit "rougher" than I expected, I was still in my skirt and dress shoes from church, not realizing we were hiking up a hill and rock. I had in mind green grass and picnic tables. Oh well! I had a great time. I'm a bit wind and sun burnt, dusty and tired. I need to get out of the city more often. I'm just not a city person, it seems to stifle my energy, my emotions, and my creativity. Seriously. I didn't realize how much until today. I'm hoping now that the weather is nice, I'll be able to go hiking/picnicing more often. It's just a matter of catching a ride with someone.
The weather was warm with a cool strong breeze. We saw horses and one donkey on the trial. Went hiking a bit, picked some fresh thyme that grows wild in the hills.