THE FANCY FRENCH PANTRY
A chance encounter in a slumbering village keeps the hunger wolves from the door for Sheila Wright
Aholiday barging in France is always full of surprises, some wonderful and others best forgotten. A special part of the experience is being able to moor along the canal at a most convenient spot for hopping onto bicycles to explore the quaint villages along the way — and to stock up on supplies. As with many European countries, everything shuts down for the all-important lunch break, and on docking in a small village called Champagne-sur-Vingeanne, desperate to stock up on essentials, we found nothing open.
HUNGRY EYES
It must have been our desperate looks that touched the heart of “Madame” who was cycling past. She was on her way to ring the local church bells — her daily contribution to village life — and what a delightful person she turned out to be.
She invited us to wait half an hour while she completed her duty, telling us that her home was down one of the quaint streets and that she kept a fully stocked pantry, from which we were welcome to buy our provisions. In no time, she returned to lead us to her home, opened her pantry and offered us the chance to stock up.
After making our purchases we were given a very welcome cup of coffee and a tour of her home.
Her Labrador had given birth to a litter of the cutest puppies, which we all admired, with many photos being taken (if we weren’t so many miles from home, we would gladly have adopted one each).
MYTH BUSTING
Madame then invited us to join her and her husband for dinner that evening but, as time was a constraint, we reluctantly declined, retrieved our bikes and headed back to our barge.
That just goes to show how the myth of the “unfriendly French” is unfounded. That experience was the highlight of our amazing trip.
“The Notebook” is about chance meetings and unforgettable encounters people have had on their travels. Send us your story — no more than 400 words — and, if published, you’ll receive R500. Mail travelmag@sundaytimes.co.za with the word Notebook in the subject line.