Blogging and Social Media connect people, open up new ways to learn about other cultures, traditions and habits and create opportunities to make friends around in the Blogsphere. I know all of you have similar experiences, but to me it becomes clearer after our blog gathering in South France where Claudie at Lazazandcruisers and her husband invited us into their home. I mean, one thing is to ‘meet’ by regularly visiting and commenting on other’s blogs. During the years friendships build up and one gets to know each other quite well. Another thing is meeting in real life and inviting 6 people into your home! Admit it takes guts, which Claudie and Pierre have – and even more; a good portion of trust, generosity and warm hearted hospitality. My wife DianeCA and I were fortunate to be one of their guests and I will try my best to give you some short résumés in the coming posts.
This once in a lifetime experience lasted almost one week, full of laughter, precious conversations, unforgettable moments and developing friendships. All these adventures will first and foremost be captured in our hearts. However I hope this first post will give you an idea of what a wonderful time we had. Let’s start with a picture of our hosts which expresses some of their warm hearted hospitality:
Claudie and Pierre serving one of their unforgettable French specialities on the last night of our stay.
Seldom have I met such a sweet, open minded and friendly couple – willing to share all their best with good friends. Claudie was an excellent guide showing us the most beautiful places in their area (just you wait and see in the coming posts!) and Pierre was a brilliant chef giving us delicious examples of French cuisine. When we came, we all had a glass of Recard’s Pastis Marseille and then all this was set on the table outdoors:
e.g. Anchoïade – Tapenade with vegetables – Pissaladière ++ and of course Côte de Provence wine.
Some family and friends where invited to the welcome party too and we had the most wonderful time talking in an interesting array of languages! Mostly we used English, but also French accompanied with some Norwegian and Swedish. We sat up late into the warm Provence night eating, drinking and talking.
First night at our blog gathering; good food, good drinks and making good friends – what more can you ask for?
All this was topped off with this wonderful dessert:
A local speciality served with coffee and Eau-de-vie of the Garlaban.
Let me end this first post with some more from their servings showing French food traditions from Pierre the Chef:
Breakfast served outdoor in sunny 35C (95F).
Another of Pierre’s specialities; Daube de Boeuf
Left: Saffron Rouille and Right: The best calamari I’ve ever tasted!
It’s impossible to express everything we experienced at Claudie and Pierre’s in words. However I do hope this gives you an idea of how well we were taken care of; What wonderful hosts they were and with what tasty French food which we where served. If you look through these pics and read between the lines, you might understand why we call this a life time experience. If you click and read Claudie’s blog Lazazandcruisers, as well as DianeCA’s and the other guests; Mrs. Lifecruiser and TorAa’s blog – they’ll give you some more from their prospective.
A lot more was experienced during our stay in South France and the trip back to Norway by car with Tor and his wife Anna of course – so stay tuned!
August 13th, 2009 at 11:55 am
[...] has to end sometime, that’s why they call it vacation! We came home last night about 9 pm. RennyBA and TorAa did a very good job of driving us across Europe, through France, Switzerland, Germany, [...]
August 13th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Oh looking at all these great foods is making my appetite remember Pierre’s good home cooking! Claudie is very lucky there! We had such a wonderful time and I want to thank all the Lifecruisers and Lazazandcruisers for the wonderful moments we shared. Special thanks to our hosts Claudie and Pierre. Unforgettable!
Reply
August 13th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
How wonderful! Iy looks like such a good time. I think Claudie and I would have much in common. We both love to cook, to entertain and to have many guests!
Reply
August 13th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Wow oh wow… How wonderful. Love all of the pics and want to travel!!! Insanely jealous…but smiling.
It was hot there I guess.!
Reply
August 13th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
This actually brought tears to my eyes, Renny, because when I think of heaven, I think of good friends and good food (banquet!) and good conversation. THIS is what it’s all about! Time stands still. It’s eternalized!
Reply
August 13th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
That looked like a fantastic time and I would love to meet Claudie! I cannot believe Tor was there also…that must have been a fun gathering with lots of vino and friends.
Reply
August 13th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
How fun and the food looks fantastic. The food on your blog always looks fantastic.
Have a terrific day. Big hug to you and Diane.
Reply
August 13th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Thanks my dear,dear friend for a wonderful dedication to our common hosts during a wonderful, out of life meeting and experience.
In fact, it was real.
As you so often said:
“Is it real. Do I experience in real life these wonderful moments together?”.
Yes, we did
Reply
August 13th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
PS, you have been tagged
Reply
August 13th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Your pictures are wonderful! If I could eat again all, I would do it!!! Now I just begin to wake up of the gathering since it was a such wonderful experiment! I could think I was 20 years less and enjoyed like a teenager along the day and the night!!! because of course we couldn’t stopping laughing! the last days with the Captain it was each time 4 O’ clock in the morning! After more than two years blogging fast each day together with some famous events in our virtual life now it was the reality! can’t wait to read our adventures on your blog because you are a such good teller!!!
Reply
August 13th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
[...] I met them all in the center of the town! Renny Ba and Diane CA, Tor RA and Anna from Oslo and our famous Captain, I say, Mrs Lifecruiser and her [...]
August 14th, 2009 at 12:56 am
The food looks great and wow it’s so nice that you guys met up with Claudie!
Reply
August 14th, 2009 at 3:01 am
Lucky you to be able to travel and connect to people around the world! And what a great experience…
The food looks awesome as usual. You guys are a magnet for great culinary experiences, one day, I really want to share your table!
Reply
August 14th, 2009 at 6:18 am
This was one of those unforgettable events that you treasure for the rest of your life. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Reply
August 14th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Yes in southern France and in Italy they know what hospitality means ! and it’s true people life are sometimes very different to what they seem in virtual life !
Reply
August 14th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Wonderful! I have met Claudie so I knew you were going to have the most friendly hostess!!
Reply
August 14th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Thanks for giving us an arm-chair blogosphere view, taste & description of Southern France’s cuisine, landscape, and people.
Reply
August 14th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
“Vive la France” and their excellent cuisine!!
I see, you and Diane – and all the other guests too – had a wonderful time in South of France. The pictures tell it all
Thanks for sharing!
Susanne
Thank you, Renny, also for visiting my blog and for your kind comment there.
Sue’s Daily Photography
Reply
August 15th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Well – I’m sure Amazing and full of memories might sum it up! I am so curious to know your drive back. I’d assume that’s when you visited Switzerland and you are just leaving me hanging!
Reply
August 15th, 2009 at 1:54 am
What a fabulous time you all had! The Food looks glorious and my mouth is watering just looking at the pictures….! How GREAT to have all this time together—A WHOLE WEEK! I look forward to reading more and seeing more pictures!
Reply
August 15th, 2009 at 6:02 am
Hope you are doing well!
Love, Jess
Reply
August 15th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Nice to see such a meeting of blogging friends, and the south of France is a beautiful area.
Reply
August 15th, 2009 at 9:23 am
I can see that all of you are having a wonderful time together! Bloggers from different countries getting together. How cool!
Reply
August 15th, 2009 at 10:00 am
What a wonderful opportunity for all of you to meet. I bet Claudie and Pierre were just so excited preparing for the event. That food…oh, yum. I just adore Continental food (actually I just look food, full stop!).
It’s going to be interesting to see more photos and here more of your trip, Renny.
Reply
August 15th, 2009 at 11:26 am
This is very beautiful. but when i visited china i enjoyed my journey on many places without worry because i hired china car service with professional driver.
Reply
August 15th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Renny … you always put together such great posts. This really was quite an experience!
(making my VERY hungry too)
Big hello from Minnesota,
Eric “SpeedyCat”
Reply
August 15th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
when will you have a blog gathering here in the philippines? hehe.
i like the food!
Reply
August 16th, 2009 at 4:56 am
Looks and sounds like a great time! The food is so colourful!
Reply
August 16th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Renny, what a fantastic event! I am glad you had a great time! Maybe time to organise an Oslo bloggerfest – beer and chatting on a weeknight – what ya think?
Reply
August 16th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Still today we spoke with Pierre about our gathering!!! So marvelous memories we have now! And today we went to the beach we were all together near Bandol! Now Pierre decided to go always at this beach! I saw several fishes with mask and tuba!!! I remembered the good time we had all here!
Reply
August 16th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
[...] Building friendships at Blog Gathering in South France Aug [...]
August 17th, 2009 at 2:41 am
[...] showing French food traditions from Pierre the Chef: … Go here to see the original: Building friendships at Blog Gathering in South France Share and [...]
August 19th, 2009 at 10:38 am
[...] This post was Twitted by rennyba [...]
August 20th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Hey again,
Mmmmm…delicious table! Pierre is a blessing: I love crudités and tapenade (we eat it a lot of it here at home too)!! Superb feast!!
The dessert looks delicious…I must confess I don’t know this one though…yummy!
Yes, you were definitely pampered by Pierre and Claudie: God bless them!
Now, with this post, you have made me want to eat LOL…
Cheers
Reply
August 21st, 2009 at 9:15 pm
[...] Building friendships at Blog Gathering in South France 2: Blog Gathering at Ollioules in Provence [...]
August 25th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
[...] Building friendships at Blog Gathering in South France 2: Blog Gathering at Ollioules in Provence France 3: Blog Gathering in Provence [...]
August 29th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
[...] Building friendships at Blog Gathering in South France 2: Blog Gathering at Ollioules in Provence France 3: Blog Gathering in Provence [...]
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:53 am
I wish I could join the blog gathering ,delicious food, beautiful place
maybe someday
Reply
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:13 pm
This community is really nice with delicious food and nice place.keep it up…..
Reply