We started out badly. Flying coach on American was the perfect trial by ordeal. I am only six feet tall, but I had to position by knees off the sides of the seat in front of me to fit into the seat. Being wedged into these ridiculous seats at least took your mind off of the perfectly horrible dinner that followed. American has now passed over the line from a passenger airline to a cargo airline. As the latter, it was be roomy if you are a crate or critter. We then flew Air France to Toulouse, which was a completely different (and enjoyable experience).
After our hosts welcomed us with local wines and a great dinner with fresh vegetables from the garden, including tomatoes that were addictive. Our host bought a Brebi petit Basque cheese from the Pyrennes that was divine. After dinner and copious amounts of wine, we took the kids to the nearby Montreal du Gers. They were enthralled (as was I) by the fire spitters who performed to the incredible drum work of two men in Medieval “fool” garb. We were the only foreigners. The whole town comes out for a wonderful meal and drinking to the sound of Medieval music. I cannot express the beauty and magic of the evening.
Today we are relaxing and the kids (and their two friends, Alexander and Jackson from Virginia) are swimming in a pool. Like the home, the pool overlooks the rolling hills of sunflowers. The adults are enjoying the local wines, which I will describe later (we are going on a wine tour with the owners of the most popular local wine).
It is only love for my hosts that prevents me to doing away with them in the Roman well and living here as long as possible before the arrival of National Gendarmerie.
Here are some photos from the festival (Courtesy of Photographer — and friend — Allison Mabe McBane):

Enjoy France, Esteemed Prof !
P.S. Almost forgot to mention the mosquitoes. Wish I could forget about them but their fiery mark lingers well past the initial contact.
It’s beautiful when the flames of happiness burn bright.
I’m in the High Sierra, exploring the emerald meadows in search of gold[en trout and their jeweled cousins]. The mountaintops are still crowned in white, the trails are paved with wildflowers, and the angelic air filled with their fragrance.
It’s beautiful when the flames of happiness burn bright 🙂
I’m glad to hear you’re family is having fun and the picture are great. I also agree with the posters that have worked the word “envy” into their postings 🙂
y u so funni/?
good thing you’re outside of Condom. inside are some real dicks.