A quiet Sunday market

Today was a rainy day, so no climbing for us.  We always laugh because we normally turn left out of our door  to head to the car to go climbing or a trail to go hiking.  If you turn right you go into the center of the village, we don't turn right much.  But since we were home we decided to go right.  Our Sunday market is lovely, I enjoy it more in the winter, because it's quiet and there are only locals.  In the summer it's packed..too many people for me.  Here are some random shots of our market today.

Rodellar, Spain

Me and Stella in the car

On the 5th of December we got up and pulled up the local weather, which is something we do everyday. To our surprise it called for 7 days of rain or drizzle. We have had a very mild winter so far, so we shouldn't complain, but we both didn't want to be stuck in the house for a week.

So Bruce suggested we head down to Spain. The weather looked great and we both wanted to visited Rodellar, which is famous for it's climbing. Why not, it's only a 6 hour drive and we deserve a little mini vacation. So on Wednesday morning we packed up the car with our climbing stuff, food for a week and the dogs. It was a beautiful drive through the French Pyrenees, through the Bielsa tunnel and into Spain. It was then only an hour to Rodellar.

Heading into the Pyrenees

Rodellar is the last small village at the end of the road. From Rodellar north you enter the Guara National Park. It was founded in 1990 and is one of the largest protected areas in this region of Spain, called Aragón. There are amazing cliffs and rock formations that have been partially sculpted by the erosion of water. The skies are full of golden eagles, falcons and the griffon vulture (which is 4 feet long and has a wing span on 9 feet). These birds, and many others have found a sanctuary here, one of the last remaining places on the planet where they can live and breed.

Welcome to Rodellar

Then tiny village of Rodellar is divided into two small neighborhoods: one belonging to the church and the other which is home to many striking, traditional buildings, most dating back to the 18th century.

We are here for the amazing climbing (limestone), but this area is also know for fishing, canyoning, via ferrata and hiking, as there is a network of paths.

The happy couple.

A route I climbed...it's very steep here.

The church of Rodellar

Another climbing area, there are so many around here

Rest day hike - 3.5 hours...not much of a rest day!

Happy dogs!

We are staying at a place called Valle De Rodellar. It is a group of apartments, for 1-6 people. Our little apartment is amazing. We have a kitchen, bath ,with loads of hot water, heat and the most comfortable bed...all for 30 euros a night (low season). We haven't even used the car since we arrived on Wednesday. There is no need, we brought all our food and the climbing and trails are walking distance from our apartment AND they take dogs, with no fee.

We have had an amazing time and the dogs have too. We are thinking of returning to France either tomorrow or Friday, because the weather is turning cold. It has been in the low 50's during the day, which is perfect for climbing, but it is moving towards the low 40's, which is a bit too chilly for me and my fingers.

All I can say is that if you are looking for a weekend away or for a vacation, this place is beautiful. We will be back in the spring for sure.

Culinary Retreat - May 12-19th 2012

We have finalized the dates for our next Culinary Retreat and are so excited!



Raison d’Art is excited to announce our Spring 2012 Culinary Adventure with Chef Carol Cotner-Thompson. Together we are pleased to offer an unforgettable 7-day journey to the heart of southwest France.  Spend a week with us learning to cook wonderful new dishes with local, fresh ingredients and discover the food, culture and history that this ancient and authentic region is known for.


Carol has over 27 years professional cooking experience and over 20 years experience in culinary education. A graduate of both the professional cooking and pastry programs at the California Culinary Academy in 1986, Carol has since taken on a wide array of professional endeavors that includes extensive restaurant consulting and cooking experience, television and print food styling and on-camera chef work, recipe and curriculum development, catering, and stints as a personal chef. She currently teaches professional cooking and baking programs at the New School of Cooking in Culver City www.newschoolofcooking.com and has previously taught at L’Academie De Cuisine and the Epicurean School of Culinary Arts. Her work has been featured in the Los Angeles Times Food Section, the Hollywood Reporter, radio shows KCRW’s “Good Food” and “Weekend America,” and, most recently, on the morning television show, “Good Day L.A.”

Our itinerary for the week includes 5 hands-on cooking classes led by Carol, gourmet food and wine, wine tasting and vineyard tour, visit to a local cheese farm, shopping at the local outdoor markets, visits to the local medieval villages of Saint Antonin Noble Val,  Bruniqual, Penne, St. Cirq, Montauban and much much more.

Life in France is all about slowing down, relaxing and being in the moment and your stay will allow you time to do just that.  There is no pressure to join the group on specific outings, you always have the choice to follow your own inspiration for the day.


DATES:
Saturday May 12, 2012 – Saturday May 19, 2012
(Please plan on arriving at the Toulouse Blagnac airport on the 12th between 4:00 – 5:30 pm and schedule your departure on the 19th between 8:35 – 10:30 am.)

COST:
€2200 euros per person based on double occupancy
 (small group of 6-8 people)

WHAT’S INCLUDED:
7 nights accommodation
Five (5) ‘hands-on’ cooking classes with Carol
Daily French breakfast
7 dinners
All beverages at the house
Vineyard tour and wine tasting
Cheese farm visit
City and Museum visit in Montauban
All admission and local group transportation for excursions & outings
Notebook with all recipes for the week
Ground pick-up at Toulouse Blagnac airport on Saturday, May 12th, 2012 and group drop-off at Toulouse Blagnac airort on Saturday, May 19th, 2012.


WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
Roundtrip Airfare to Toulouse, France
Lunches (while at villages)
Drinks and snacks outside of Le Sivadal

SAMPLE MENU:
Endive with Herbed Goat Cheese and Local Honey
Crispy Duck Breast with Gascony Cherries and Roasted Shallots
Potato Fennel Gratin
Haricot Vert with Persillade 
Fig Galette with Lavender Crème Fraiche


If you have always wanted to see this beautiful, untouched part of France, now is your chance.  We live here and know the best places to go.  We'll take care of everything!
See you in France.