Chef-Boutonne

A slow, slow morning getting ourselves up and ready - primarily Did’s obviously. Its weird - when people are here Tre and I wanna get up and get going with them, when actually they just want to chill. When there is no-one here Tre and I struggle to get up.
Anyhow we had a lunch booked at Hôtel Des Voyageurs in Chef Boutonne for 1230pm - so there was no rush.
We arrived in Chef at midday and had a quick spin round the shops before heading for lunch. Tre very obviously kicked me out of the only shop in Chef B that sells birthday cards . . . I wonder why?
In Voyageurs we were greeted by the ever pleasant staff and seated in the rear restaurant, which was already busy with other general visitors, workmen in overalls and office staff, obviously from nearby.
We opted for the plat du jour - the formula three course - all three of us light of any breakfast.
First course was the cold meats, cheeses and salad bar, as much as you wanted. For main course Did’s and I had pork steaks in mustard with chips and salad, while Tre had a homemade minced meat burger . . . not exactly what she was expecting and I think she would have opted for the pork if she had known. I did offer a swap but she turned me down. Tre and Did’s then had creme caramel for pudding whist I had ‘the island that floats’ a very light meringue that sits in a bowl of cold creme anglaise. The meringue melts in your mouth almost immediately.
Tre had offered up to drive, so I encouraged Did’s up for the strong Leffe Blonde at 6 point something percent . . . I was slightly amused when he said he wanted a second. That said he did drink it - although confessed he did then feel quite pickled.
After coffee and chocolates we paid and left - completely full.
As Tre was driving she got to decide where we were going and then sprung upon me the idea of going to look at cars at a nearby garage. So off we set. Literally 50 yrds around the corner we came across a broken down car in the middle of the road - and by that I mean it’s wheel although still attached, was hanging off at a 45 degree angle. Tre kicked Did’s and I out of Rox to go help push the car off the road. The owners transpired to be English as well and to the best of my attempts I could not shift the wheel into any form of position that we could push the car. By now half the street seemed to have appeared and were all helping, one French guy took over the owners phone to speak to his Insurance company on his behalf. After about 20 mins it was obvious nothing was going to happen until a tow truck appeared - which was now on route, so we left them in the same state pretty much that we had found them. They were grateful for our efforts.
We then drove to Bouin to look at some cars - but there was nothing too exciting and so we didn’t stay long.
We then took the back roads via a few villages towards home, passing through to Montjean where we stopped to buy Did’s a Pine cake. Much to his relief the patisserie had none in stock. We did get into conversation with an old guy who lived in Montjean. He was admiring a new statue that had been placed in the centre of the village. Apparently an elderly gentleman had recently lost his wife and commissioned a statue of her to be placed in the centre of the village. To be fair if the statue was anything like her at the time of her death - she had aged particularly well . . . which was why the old guy was admiring the statue so keenly.
We then drove home via Sauze Vassais and through Melleran.
We skipped dinner for the evening as we were all so stuffed from lunch at Voyageurs, simply chilling and chatting. We weren’t too late going to bed as Did’s is off home in the morning and we have a very early start.
So not looking forward to that alarm !!Read more