25 May - Perpignan

   The program for our day began at breakfast at 8:30 am.  We had a nice French breakfast with delicious coffee Odette made especially for us, as they drink tea.  I am not sure of the exact time we left for  Fortress of Salses but we first stopped for a moment at a medical supply sort of store to get some shoes for Germaine, as she took a fall again and they think she needed new shoes to prevent slipping.  After getting the shoes we went to the Fortress and took a tour.  The tour was in French but with the flyer in English and René translating some of it we had a very nice visit there.  John was as impressed as I hoped he would be.  The fortress was constructed in the late 15th century between France and Catalonia and stands today in wonder with original status in most parts.  It is an amazing place. 

  From there we returned to the home of René and Odette and had a delicious lunch, it was approximately 1-2pm.  We had appetizers of anchovies and bread, then noodles  with meatballs and sauce, and pear tart for dessert, then coffee and a chocolate too!  After lunch Odette took the purchased shoes to Germaine and René took us on another outing to Elne, the cloistered Roman Cathedral and castle built 4-5 centuries before Christ.  I believe I am stating this correctly that this was build by the Romans under The Great Constantine in honor of his mother Helene, later becoming Saint Helene, and shortened to Elne some time after that; it was the Great Constantine, who under the Romans first declared Christianity to be a legal religion.  René believes St. Helena in Napa County is also named after this same mother of Constantine the Great, which gives us another connection.  This was an extremely interesting visit, even having bones of someone excavated and on display.  Many of the marble carvings were still very well preserved, though some had  been partially destroyed during the Revolution.  Remember the people were so poor, depressed, angry, etc. that they even defaced churches that they felt were associated with the power of Kings or royalty.  It is amazing that there is as much remaining as there is.  After this visit we took a different route back and stopped to watch a glass blower in another small village.  Then back to their home.  Odette had not yet returned but she did shortly thereafter and another meal was prepared.  At least I am allowed to help a small amount so I don't feel too bad.  I think it is a lot of work for them to have us here but they are very gracious.  Gazpacho and quiche, plus a variety of desserts was the meal.  I marvel at Odette's garden; it is lovely and I have taken many photographs of it.  We can see it keeps both of them very busy to have it as lovely as it is.  René states he follows her instructions, we all laughed at this as John does the same.  I am missing home after being here and wondering how everyone is? 

   After dinner we drove to a nearby lake, actually three lakes, and took a walk around the man-made area.  It is very nice with picnic facilities and such.  One area allows fishing and boats without motors, one allows swimming, and the third does not allow anything because it is a sanctuary for birds.  It is nice to have this peaceful area so close to their home, what a lovely place to live.