Here we are in Bordeaux

After an incredibly long 660+kms we are now in Bordeaux.  Well, actually in St Terre, near St Emillion.  French Grand Crus wine country.  there are vines absolutely everywhere its amazing, every spare patch of ground has vines in it - mainly red around here.  Our house for the next month is in the middle of corn fields and vineyards, right across the lane from the Dordogne River.  Its absolutely delightful, if a tad rustic.  There are black and white fig trees currently laden with fruit, persimon trees, walnuts, apples and of course the grapes, which are surprisingly deliciously sweet.
The kids are having a ball picking and eating the fresh fruit.  This afternoon we are making fig jam and a fig tart.  The views from the bedroom windows across the fields are amazing especially in the mornings with the fog raising off the River.  The best view is probably of the rose garden through the toilet window!!
Yesterday we went to a nearby village to see the Maskerade - a wave which only occurs a couple of times a year which comes up the Dordogne River and at this village breaks into a series of surf able waves which all the locals take to with long boards, paddle boards and kayaks.  It was really amazing to see a river as flat as anything one minute then a wall of people surfing it the next.
We are loving the local markets, they are amazing places for food, drink, culture and generally soaking up the joie de vivre of french provincial life.
The weather here in the South is brilliant.  most days have been between 25-30 and the evenings are mild enough to sit outside until at least 9 when it gets dark.
We have started 'school' at home, today I was told I was a terrible teacher because I have no patience - which is probably true, and not the greatest of starts for day one.  But, journals out of the way, this afternoons maths lesson will be jam making, followed by a couple of pages of workbooks.  French lessons take place over breakfast each morning, or at the local boulangerie!!
Food and drink are incredibly cheap here.  I'm finding it hard to avoid all the big name champagne brands because they are so cheap, but just as good are some local producers with bottles less than $5, and the Bordeaux Rose (also less than $5) is just to die for.  We are pretty much living on various hams and salamis, cheese, baguettes and wine (for the children -= orangina is their addiction), and fruit from the garden and frankly, couldn't be happier.
I will put some photos on the next blog of the house and its surrounds and the fruit trees and if I can the Maskerade.