It's hard to have visitors come without taking them to the Pierrefonds castle - which looks like what we all think a castle should look like.
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| Pierrefonds also has some beautiful houses |
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| Gavin and Mom |
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| Jordan, Caitlyn, Gavin, Kacey |
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| Monduit workshop exhibit |
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| Caitlyn, Kacey, Gavin, Jordan |
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| Dad, Caitlyn, Mom, Gavin, Kacey |
We decided to give the family the whole French experience, and took them along to the village party with us.
We had couscous with merguez (spicy sausages) and chicken, and of course cheese, and apple pie and tiramisu to round things off.
A local band played for us (many songs in English - "Mustang Sally" and "Zombie" were favorites), and some of us won prizes for guessing the closest weight of the gift basket.
We continued our visits Saturday with a trip to the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery at Seringes-et-Nesles, the castle ruins at Fère en Tardenois, and the Fantômes de Landowski statue near Oulchy-le-Château.
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| Entrance of the Oise-Aisne Cemetery |
This grave was the most recent one. The remains of a WWI soldier were found in a nearby village. Research services were unable to determine his exact identity, but were able to identify his battalion. He was buried in the cemetery June 7, 2023, with full military honors.
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| After our picnic at Fère en Tardenois |
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| Noah, Kacey, Caitlyn, Jordan, Gavin, Benjamin, Dad, Mom |
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| Noah |
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| Benjamin, Frédéric, Noah |
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| Mom and Dad |
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| Benjamin |
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| Fields of poppies |
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| Fantômes de Landowski |
At long last, we managed to pull together a visit from my parents, Jordan, Kacey, and their kids.
We started them off slowly with a walk around Puiseux and a visit to nearby Septmonts and its castle.
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| Caitlyn, Gavin, Kacey, Jordan |
Another great day at the departmental championships.
Benjamin finished his last season with the club with 9 victories:
Noah finished in his category:
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| Benjamin |
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| Noah |
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| Benjamin |
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| Noah and Benjamin on the starting blocks |
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| Noah |
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| Benjamin |
