30 avril 2009, traffic tickets

THURSDAY
For lunch I decided to sit by the fountains which overlooks the castle and the main street running through Montluçon.

As I walked toward the fountains I spotted four police on bikes, which caught my eye.
This was the first time I seeing speeding/reckless driving tickets being given, but there are always cars and scooters speeding up road.
I believe the method of attack was two police went down the street, they were the ones that catch the offenders. The offenders would drive up the street to the plaza in front of the castle where the two other police where waiting to write the tickets. The police communicated via walkie talkies.

The gentleman in the white car waits, while the gentlman in the black walks down the street and runs into his friends (the police), thus he shakes their hand and has a conversation.

28 avril 2009

TUESDAY

The back of Église Saint Paul.

27 avril 2009, Mom and Dad head to Paris

MONDAY

This morning Mom, Dad, and I parted ways for the time being; they drove to Paris and I went to work.As I rushed to the bus stop I heard voices and turned around. Monsieur Champeyrol had stopped Mom and Dad before they drove off. I quickly snapped a picture, as Monsieur Champeyrol gave Dad some dahlia bulbs.Mom and Dad driving pass my bus stop.

26 avril 2009, Vichy to Montluçon

SUNDAY

Another rainy day in Vichy as we repacked up the car to drive back to Montluçon.

Before heading out of Vichy we stopped at Monoprix (the Monoprix is the only grocery store open on Sundays, but the Montluçon store closes at noon, so we had to buy supplies for dinner in Vichy). Dad waited in the car, while mom and I went inside to get the food.

driving over the Allier River on the way out of Vichy. going through the toll booth.

Mustard fields in the rain.

Back in Montluçon we did another quick tour. Outside École Lamartine.

Mom and dad admiring the view of Étang de Sault from the car

Mom buys tulips as it supports both the Lion's Club and the flight against cancer.

Driving near and around Prémilhat.

Arriving back chez moi (at my place).
Mom preparing the French rendition of curry chicken with rice.
Dad enjoying the pictures in Le Grand Livre De L'ouest Américain (The Big Book of the American West), which was on the bookshelf in the living room.

Leeks hanging from Monsieur Champeyrol's (my landlord) clothesline in his garden... not quite sure the reasoning behind this.

A delicious dinner with the company of dad, mom, Becky (roommate), and Victoria (another English assistant)

The beautiful sunset in the background.

25 avril 2009, Montluçon to Vichy

SATURDAY

We ate breakfast chez moi (at my place), then did a little sightseeing in Montluçon.

Walking through the medieval part of town in the rain.
The Saturday market

The castle, Château des Ducs de Bourbon
Jardin Wilson

Driving through the countryside and the small villages between Montluçon and Vichy.
Arrived in Vichy, known as a spa town, though it was the capital of France during German occupation in WWII.

Mom tastes the mineral water

hôtel de ville (town hall)