Giverny

Today was dominated by a train trip to Giverny the home of Monet and the place where most of his painting was done. on the train we sat across from 2 English couples (from Newcastle) who were on their way to Rouen to be there when the tour arrives this very afternoon!!!! Can you believe it, if Bea and I Did not care about gardens we coulD party on to Rouen and sit there all day until the tour arrives this arvo. You could have even see me on TV!!!
Alas we stuck to our plan and got off for the Giverny stop. The house and garden have been restoredand owned to the public with the drive of a couple, the husband was involved in Versailles and his wife was American and had lots of cash and together they have made it happen. Now it is run by an organization and is really a lovely outing. They have 10 gardners and they were all working today.
There is also a water garden and here the gardners were busy harvesting over enthusiastic water lilies. The house itself is really charming and chock a block with original japanese etchings from all of those famous Japanese artists whose work is used everywhere. Turns out Monet had a thing for Japanese art. Giverny is in Normandy and that is apple country, so we had a lite lunch of a small bottle of cider and a bag of those fancy chips. The town is quite small but here and there people have designed their businesses around the Monet gardens so all in all it was really lovely.
This evening we are going to dinner at a restaurant and then to Beas community garden where they are harvesting a small wheat crop this ev
Ending.