Montpellier – Lees in France

The last week in Saint Drézéry

July 23, 2023July 28, 2023Michelle LeeLeave a comment

First week of July 2023

Just when we thought our last bucket list items had been checked off did we realize life still had to continue. School work was completed except math for both kids. Bella and Cody were getting their last affections from us amidst packing, cleaning, prepping for our USA return and just living.

Mazie wanted to take Cody to the beach one more time. We attempted but the morning slipped away from us. We headed to a lake nearby, which upon arrival seemed crowded and now has an entrance fee due to the summer season. We finally agreed on heading back to the area we named Degobah, from Star Wars where Yoda trains Luke. We were the only ones exploring the semi dried up pools. It was perfect for the three of us. Everytime we ventured here over the year the landscape was different due to the amount of rain that had fallen in the area. Today the water trickled down its paths. The pools were shallow, cold, and clear but not turquoise. Cody still bounced in and out of the pools loving his best life. When we left we drove past a sunflower field. The Pic Saint Loup completed the background of the picture.

Zach wanted to try a new skate/bike/scooter park that had recently opened. Randy was prepping the house, closing accounts, researching his upcoming last week in France with Cody and Zach. I was heavily into prepping for YoungLives Camp week at Rockbridge YoungLife camp. Mazie and I were leaving a week earlier than we had planned due to camp. The boys were staying and finishing up France by going to see the Tour de France in person.

Mazie, little Julia, and I met up with new friends who were new to Montpellier. Meggan, Nate, Ana and Aiva (plus a dog named Cody, too) were thinking about moving to France back in July 2022. Meggan and I found each other on a FB group about Montpellier. Our long distance friendship grew over the year. It was a blessing to actually meet in person. Meggan and I knew we understood each other without having to verbalize it. Our time together in France was extremely short, however we managed to go to church together, explore the thrift store, purchase a dog toy at the pet store, and see a few sites together.

Rachel, Flavy and I went out for dinner in the La Grande Motte. We had such a beautiful evening.

Saturday Marie, Naomi, and I went for our last adventure to Sommiéres. Jill had mentioned it was one of her favorite places to go for a Saturday Market. Wow, it was really beautiful. there were hundreds of vendors in 3 or 4 rows outside under the canopy of sycamore French trees. The market continued inside the medieval part of town with food, clothing, and more. I enjoyed capturing the picture of Marie with Naomi looking through records.

Church wrapped up for us. I was called up to talk at the end of the service by Chris, my little Julia’s grandfather, who was spurred on by Asha. For payback I had Asha translate my English to French. It was a fun laugh. After service we headed over to a baptism party in Sussargues…AKA Sussagrass to a few of us. This was a good way to celebrate Jake, Emmy, and Abi and to say our goodbyes to all in attendance. The youth group had just returned from a weekend away. While our kids did not attend it was still good to be reminded of faces of people who loved us.

The last night Lez, Marie, Naomi, and Hannah came over for dinner, drinks and dessert. They are amazing friends we acquired while in France. We look forward to see how God will continue this friendship miles apart from each other.

Randy and Zach put Mazie and I on a bus headed to Barcelona. Once in Barcelona, Mazie and I managed a “train system” for walking with 4 under the airplane suitcases, 2 backpacks, and 2 cabin suitcases. We were a sight to see but were prepared for an airport drop off in a few days.

Day 10- April 7

May 10, 2023Michelle LeeLeave a comment

Boulangerie, Beach, Palavas Les Flots, Aqueducts, Wine Tasting,

The 11 pipers piping time is about to come to a close. The feeling of delight having family with us is starting to subside knowing tomorrow is the goodbye day. What can we cram in today? Biking riding multiple places to the boulangerie, bike pump park, through the fields and the vineyards. While this was not the order of the day it still happened. Kids wanted to show Keeler the bike park. Aunt Jan wanted to ride with Mazie and Cody on their daily adventures.

A walk to the boulangerie is always on the list for visitors, followed by a stroll through the village and park.

The beach was high on Josie and Keelers list, especially since it was the Mediterranean Sea. Despite cool temperatures in April the kids still went in and played.

Ice cream and lunch were next on the to do list. I found a new area south of our beach outing and headed there. Wow, what a find! Palavas provided us with restaurants and shops aligning the canal. Our choice of eating establishment was on a dock. It even included the best port-a-potty ever.

The sun warmed up the air and it became the perfect day for exploring on the Med coastline. We even rode a slow skyride getting great views of the harbor, beach and town. Also a fantastic place to be a teen and practice dropping shoes from the skyride..teenagers.

We dropped back in time on the way home exploring the aqueducts.

Randy’s favorite must do for visitors is wine tasting.

The end has come and we must pack and say goodbye. Thank you for hanging out with us!

Day 3- March 31

April 23, 2023April 24, 2023Michelle Lee1 Comment

Montpellier city central, castle ruin hike, mill ruin hike, wine tasting

Another full day was exploring places older than the United States. Montpellier City Central gave us experiences with huge aqueducts, narrow streets, basement cave-like bookstore, Argentinian empanadas, climbing stairs to our friends’ apt. and more.

Visitors to this apt get a Polaroid on the wall

Next a short drive and hike allowed us to explore a castle in ruins. It was windy up top.

Soon after we explored an old mill and its unique water pools. We noticed the water in the creek was drier and stayed in the pools than it was just a week ago with my cousins. Joey and the kids headed through the creek pools to the waterfall.

We tried a new wine tasting spot, located near us. We arrived just in time for a tour and then tasted the wines with a few other groups. I loved that the dad was giving tours while his 2 year old was tagging along.

Rogers and Lee kids usually end up in a back massage train line whenever they are together, even in France.

A day with Julia reminds me of home

March 14, 2023March 15, 2023Michelle Lee1 Comment

My friend Julia had a day off from school and took part in Camp MeChelle! What a glorious day for me. All day I felt as if I was back home doing what I love doing, exploring the world with young children. Mazie tagged along with us and made the day even better.

We tried out Le Petit Paradis. It was a combination of Maymont petting farm, Pump It Up inflatables, Go Ape ropes course, and a flair of Mary Poppins in the park. All of this fun for only $6/person. The pictures capture it all. We didn’t even ride ponies or paddle boats through the lake.

It’s Still Standing 31 August

September 6, 2022Michelle Lee1 Comment

You know I’m still Stand-in’ better than I ever did

Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid

I’m still standin’ (yeah, yeah, yeah)

-Elton John

While Elton John’s words are about someone moving on after a breakup, these words ring true for the older buildings we experienced this week visiting Montpellier. The kids and I took off to the city. Our little village of Saint Drezery is about 25-30 minutes away from the city center. Our adventure was to find parking, locate an English bookstore, and come home with books for Z and Mz to read. The pictures below show our successes. It was incredible to see buildings older than our country still beautifully standing.

Arc de Triompe: I had to drive through the arch of the Arc de Triompe replica built in 1692. CRAZY!!!

Was I doing something wrong, was I going the wrong way, will I get stopped by the police, will I hit anyone, am I in a movie, where do I park??? So many questions peppering my brain all at once while I was still driving. After relating this story to a friend she encouraged me by reminding me that the Arc is still standing. Mazie took the picture for me as we were on our way home, after my brain had settled down.

Place des Martyrs-de-la-Resistance: The nearby prefecture, a political region or local government area, during the Second World War was a place of transit for resistance fighters. The parking deck was under this area. CRAZY again. The parking garages in DC have nothing on me anymore. This place made DC’s garages seem like parking on a football field. I wish I had a photo.

Le Bookshop: Seriously about the cutest thing I have seen so far. I was surprised by the enchanted feel of just the alleyway. The closeness of the walls, people chatting around small tables, and pennant flag banners decorating the skyline gave this magical experience to my eyes. I quickly snapped a picture, let’s not attract attention to ourselves. The bookshop was located on the right.

The old walls of the store led us downstairs to the cellar occupied by a menagerie of books old and new, adult and youth. Incredible and incredibly HOT! We were sweating.

After finding several books (including one for Uncle Greg) we climbed the stairs decorated with pages from books lining the kick plates to the main floor. Success!