Monique and Jean-Louis dropped me at the house of Francois and Jeanne Palud, the parents of my hosts, Iffig and Martine Palud. I was late for lunch! And very happy that I at least had flowers for Madame Palud, a formidable woman and a magnificent cook! This promised to be a special luncheon, Brittany style.
Francois and Jeanne Palud and Yves "Iffig" Palud at the lunch table. (Martine Palud was also there but managed to leave for work at a local hospital before the cameras came out, and Guenole and Iffig's younger brother.)
This was a very special luncheon for another reason. Bernard and Michelle Tandoc-Pichereau had driven an hour from their home in Cotes D'Armor to join our festivities in Saint Vougay. I had never met them before but Michelle has been my writing buddy (a member of both Zoetrope and the Fiction Workhouse) and I was very, very excited to finally meet her in person. It was just extraordinary that she lived close to the village where my trip was focused!) She is as lovely, kind and dear as she always appeared on the internet. In fact, moreso, if that's possible!!
Michelle's handsome (and wonderful!) husband started out the day camera-shy, but there was so much picture taking going on, that by the end of the day I think he gave up and appeared in photos without reserve.
Guenole Palud (Iffig and Martine's son) is amused at the end of the table. He and Bernard became good friends because Bernard is a professional musician and Guenole is very interested and plays instruments himself.
Here are the grinning writers, the hiding husband, the happy Guenole (this boy always smiles! He is a charmer), and Iffig's brother at the end.
It was difficult to remember to take photos. Everyone finally had a chance to get to know each other and it seems we were all talking at once. Michelle staying close by to translate for me. Thank you, Michelle!
Madame Jeanne Palud has a particularly keen and biting sense of humor. She kept a straight face and a dominating tone as she exacted joke after joke -- usually teasing Bernard the most because he was quick to spar with her. They had the whole table laughing throughout lunch. It was most enjoyable!! And I couldn't understand a lot of the French, but the intentions were obvious. Eat this food, she said!!! As course after course was delivered to the table. Unbelievable food!
I had
two bowls of the vegetable (cabbage, carrots, rich broth) soup with bits of bread crudite swimming in it. So delicious -- and once again, I thought that was the meal. I could have stopped with one! After that, Madame served the most delicious sausages and roasted ham, and the specialty dish from Brittany.
The "kig ha farz" is a special course of Brittany. Kig means "meat", ha means "and", "farz" is a speciality made of buckwheat, egg, cream and milk, it looks grey/brown somewhat like clay when it is cooked. The wheat is stuffed in a cloth-bag, and submerged in a big pot of boiling water, with vegetables (cabbage, leeks, carrots), bacon and big sausages. Some call it " breton couscous." It was delicious!
But that was not the end of it! There followed cake, a huge basket of fruit, coffee and Madame was not happy unless everyone ATE! Oh, did we eat!!
One last shot of Michelle and Bernard. I could hardly believe my eyes that they
were really there with me to experience these magnificent people and their generous and loving hospitality. I felt like I was walking through a dream, and now I had witnesses to remind me that it was really happening.
It was a wonderful, wonderful luncheon. I am deeply indebted to Iffig's parents for opening their house to us and preparing that fantastic spread of food. I cannot begin to say how much I enjoyed every minute of it.
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# posted by bevjackson @ 9:56 AM
