Warning! Do Not Read This If You Are Hungry!

The end of the season for sunflowers and us.

Food seems to be a recurring theme in my writings.  For our last meal of the season in Paris we returned to Verjus.  Friends recommended other restaurants but we enjoyed our meal so much the first time we had to return.  This meal was even better.  They have a set menu but try to accommodate dietary restrictions.  It is an eight-course price fixed meal for 68 Euro.  We didn't add the cheese course as last time we didn't think they served (in our opinion) unusual or special cheeses.

Squid from Saint Jean de Luz, nettle linguini, piquillo pepper confit, toasted marcona almonds

Pan seared foie gras, baked grapes, candied hazelnuts, grains, root vegetables.

Skillet cooked duck breast, smoked celery root, orange, caraway, red cabbage sauerkraut

Grilled hanger steak, butter braised sun chokes, sweet onions, wood sorrel, sun choke chips

Salted lemon cake, lemon curd, blackberry sorbet, vanilla crumbs, lemon creme anglaise

I missed a few pictures because I started eating before remembering to photograph first.  The food was delicious and beautifully presented.  I don't know why they don't have a michelin star.  I find their menu creative, seasonal, and the service impeccable.  I wonder whether the plates, table settings, etc need to be more attractive and "special" to earn that first star.

After our final guests of the season left it was time to take Rabelo to her winter home in St Jean de Losne.  While there we had a lovely lunch on board with our neighbors Bob and Janet.  We were disappointed to discover they had placed their boat on the market.  There are many residents at the Ancient Lock and over time we hope to meet and make friends with more of them.

Now that Rabelo was home it was time to winterize her.  It can freeze there which means we need to empty the water from all tanks, pipes, toilets, and wherever else there is water.  It also involves using a lot of antifreeze.  That’s as far as I’m going with discussing the winterizing of Rabelo.  Our captain will make sure it is all done properly.  We also stored our deck furniture so it will be in good shape when we return in the spring.

It is hard leaving Rabelo as we had our best season yet.  The good news is we have much planned for the six months we are in the US.  Seeing family and friends, meeting our new granddaughter, taking short trips around the country are all things to look forward to.  

This is our camera shy captain Julian.  The only picture I was permitted to take of him.  He helped to make it such an exceptional season! 

More food!  Tom and I enjoyed an evening of "grazing" since we won't see these foods for 6 months.  I am NOT getting my cholesterol checked any time soon!

Riding the metro in Paris when it is raining isn't easy.  For Tom and me, being tall helps because it is an absolute crush of bodies.  You think there is no more room but at each stop people aggressively shove their way in.

I can't resist introducing my darling new granddaughter Lucia.  Her two older sisters Talia and Zoe think she is the cutest baby EVER!

In case you are worried that you won't hear from me for 6 months, I'm not done blogging.  Do stay in touch.  And remember to check next May when we return to France and our 1929 barge Rabelo for season four.