11. Learn, Lunch, Palais de l'Île, Relax, and Drive

Some days start off without any thought of being blog-worthy…nothing special on the horizon. Today started that way, but ended up being a lot of low-key fun. Our second week of class started today, with some new students joining in and the obligatory “welcome “ lunch. New students from Germany, Austria and Lichtenstein (we think), plus most of our previous classmates. 

Us, at the classic Annecy scenic photo spot for the "Boat House"

Backof the boat house opening into a small plaza

Lynn being scenic

After lunch, we toured the interior of the “Boat House”(Palais de l'Île), the renowned boat-shape structure in the middle of the river streaming through Annecy. This thing is so pretty from the outside. Originally built there in 1325, with additions over the centuries. It's been a prison, a government house, back to being a prison, a hospital, a residence, etc. over the years. It was renovated in the  1980’s, again in 1993, and turned into its own tiny museum. We learned Annecy was a run-down unknown town until development of modern housing and conversion of ancient buildings, restoration of historical sites, and promotion as a sports and tourist destination, began in the 1960’s. The interior was tiny and made for smaller people. So we got out of there!    

we love watching the crowds using this public playground every evening. It is kept spotless by municipal worker we've seen maintaining it early in the morning

Enormous shoe store takes up the whole block on this narrow Rue! Just across the plaza from the Monoprix which has no charm or presence. Later,Lynn bought shoes and I got a small Opinel knife from their shoe repair shop.

Rain is coming for the next few days, so off to the Monoprix department store near our hotel for umbrellas. Then we chilled out on our hotel patio, with a drink & some snacks. It’s a beautiful place to people-watch. School was just letting out, so the little public playground  across from us was full of young kids playing while being watched over by their parents. I loved seeing the various kinds of bicycles used to transport these families to & from school and playground. I’ll try to write something about them all later. 

   

   

These are  part of a snow skiing team training on roller skis with ski poles! 

     

Restored 2CV at an actual Citroen dealership, what a surprise! 

   

...with a 2CV Charleston inside. Sacre Bleue!!! 

Once evening arrived, Lynn was ready for driving practice in our rental car. She’d not driven it yet, as we’ve stayed close to home all this past week. I drove us out of town for starters, until we got to a less-trafficky spot, then she took over. On the way out, we spotted TWO Citroen 2CV’s, like the one Lynn owns at home in Florida… a moment for HIGH EXCITEMENT. We resolved to stop for photos on the way back. Lynn’s driving practice was successful and safe. We don’t know much about this Renault hybrid SUV we rented, but it seems safe enough with cameras and impact-avoidance features warning us of any possible obstacles. Funky controls, but Lynn was unfazed. The evening at dusk was beautiful. We stopped to change drivers again at a neat photo opp place near Saint-Jurioz, then headed home. Photos from the moving car show a tiny bit of the fantastic bicycle path along the  lake, and its use by every description of outdoor enthusiast. 

What a treat - Dame Blanche!

Celebrations abound on this trip. After a parking adventure at the hotel which ended well, we strolled to the old town again looking for a dessert. Found a perfect sidewalk cafe serving dessert cuisine… and SURPRISE they had “Dame Blanche”! It’s a dish served like a big sundae, with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and chantilly meringue mixed in. We learned about this delicacy from Earl and Paulita last year when we visited their home in Quillan, France. Sooo, tonight we celebrated  the driving practice going well, and the anniversary of our Quillan adventure, by diving into Dame Blanches in Annecy! On the way home we passed some gorgeous old private residences lit for the evening.