…as a lot of the best stories do, in my opinion, anyway. And, if not for my predilection for footwear, we wouldn’t have just had the best day ever!! We’d visited the cathedral, we’d strolled the Place de la Bourse, we’d dallied over a Grand Crème (or two!), photographed the magnificent Gross Cloche, perched atop one of Bordeaux’s medieval gates, walked for hours and were making our way slowly home, when what did I spy, but a very cute pair of shoes, in a very cute little shop. Rue de Shoe, strikes again!!  I’m always up for a chat and, with the commonality of a love of shoes, got talking to the proprietor, Tania, who was just delightful. My French was certainly tested as she spoke very limited English, but that was just perfect as far as I was concerned. We got along really well and as there were not any other customers at the time, she sat down and we talked for nearly an hour.  Amongst the many topics discussed (which were many and varied, not just shoes) I mentioned my wish to live in France for a period because a) I love it and b) to improve my French. Tania said she and her partner had always wanted to come to Australia. She then invited Jeff and I to her home that evening, for an aperitif. Address deatils exchanged, at 8pm we arrived at her home, which was an old stone townhouse, but modernised very beautifully inside. We met Stephane, her partner, who was lovely too. He spoke very good English, so translated for me when Tania’s enthusiasm for a topic resulted in her speaking so rapidly that I couldn’t quite keep up. Several bottles of wine, some baguettes, cheese, charcuterie, lots of talking and laughing later, we arrived home at 12.30pm. We’d had such a good time, we decided that we should catch up again for dinner the following night, which is tonight, so we are really looking forward to  that.

It was a situation that we could never have planned, but would not have missed for the world. It was great night. And I think the wine improved my French, or at least my confidence, because I had no trouble at all talking. Perhaps I need to have a glass or two then, before every lesson, when I’m back in Brisbane? Sounds like ‘une bonne idée’ to me!!

We all talked about the possibility of a house swap too, so while more consideration is required on both our parts and lots of photos to be shared,  maybe my dream is not so far away, after all. As for the shoes?? Of course I bought them, they are gorgeous!!! And they were worth every penny, resulting as they did, in ‘un soir fabuleux’.

These are the things that I love, the incidental conversations, the situations unexpected and the wonderful people we meet as a result.

I’m on cloud nine.