Saint Drezery – 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 11- April 8

May 13, 2023Michelle LeeLeave a comment

The final Goodbyes of Spring Break

We said goodbye to my sister and family this morning. What an amazing blessed 11 days with friends and family. We are exhausted. Our life here is relatively quiet and slow paced. I miss the activity, talks, feeling like I am known without saying a word. Life must go on and it does, even for us and Cody.

Mid morning our friends, Lez and Marie, asked if we wanted to join them and their girls at a wine tasting event just outside of the village. Zach stayed home and the rest of us ventured to the beautiful grounds of MAS D’ARCAY. It was a nice spring outing, pretty with color yet cool enough for a down jacket. My pictures are taken and used without permission from Marie’s IG account.

I never in a million years did I think I would type “Here is a picture of a guy carving a pig’s leg with his co-worker sporting Converse high tops and pouring wine in the background.” Well I just did!

Later another friend came over to check the stove top that stopped working while our friends from Spain stayed with Cody. Exciting life we all live at times. At first glance the pictures looks like either an old multi player turntable or flat cinnamon rolls.

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.