Musee Rodin

I don't know very much about arts and culture, especially not French ones. For some reason, I very much like sculptures that are displayed outdoors.

Musee Rodin (www.musee-rodin.fr) in Paris is one of my favourite museums. It's small enough that you don't get overwhelmed (unlike le Louvre) but rich enough to keep you busy for at least half a day. Not to mention the wonderful garden of Hotel Biron (in which the museum is housed) where several amazing pieces of Rodin's work are displayed.



This is a close up of one of the most famous pieces by Rodin - Les Bourgeois de Calais - a bunch of bourgeouis about to be executed. The intensity of the moment is very clearly communicated through the facial expressions and body language.





Another famous piece is Le Penseur (The Thinker). This shot is just trying to be cute. Can you spot him in the garden on the right?

La Rogue Gageac

Lots of charming little medieval towns near Shereen's country house in Perigord. I was hoping to have a chance to visit La Rogue Gageac which is a nearby town recommended by tourist info. As it happens, La Rogue is one of Shereen's favourite towns in the region!

The drive there was about 40 min from Belves. Though the town is pretty small, it has a nice quiet charm to it with buildings carved into the cliffs, windy paths along the terraces; view from higher up over the River Dordogne is serene.

Chez Shereen

Received an invitation from Alan's good friend Shereen to spend some time in French countryside. Was told that Shereen's house is near a town called Belves, in the Perigord region (south west of France). Never heard of the place, so I googled. Guess what, Belves turns out to be one of the most beautiful villages in France!

Some info about the Perigord region: http://www.arachnis.asso.fr/Dordogne/guide1.htm

The house dates from 17th century and Shereen's grandmother bought it at the early part of the last century. It certainly felt special to be staying in a place that has so much history behind it. The antique furnitures that Shereeen's grandma collected made the place feel luxurious but maintaining a cozy touch. Very tastefully done.

Having been a city girl most of my life, I was enjoying the nature thoroughly - picking cherries from the trees, trying out blackberries first time in my life, smelling the roses, cutting herbs from the garden. Shereen probably thought I was a little mad, getting so excited over some fruits.