We got on the road at a reasonable hour, and Vivian's request for car music was the cast recording of Hamilton. This is something Judy (Vivian's official musical current events teacher) introduced her to. Jeff and I like musicals, but we hadn't listened to it yet, so we said sure. It ended up being a great choice, because we got totally into it, and the ride passed smoothly. We even had time to stop in a cute little town for lunch.
The part that did not go so smoothly was getting to the vacation house. This was the road we were supposed to drive up.
GPS said, don't do it, but the directions we had said even though it looks like a pedestrian road, cars are allowed and there's parking near the house. Well, that's all very nice to say, but it was terrifying to experience. We managed to get up (I folded in the mirror on my side), but we passed the place we were supposed to park, so Jeff backed up with me waving frantically behind him. By the time we got the car unloaded and parked in an actual parking spot at the bottom of the hill, we both needed a drink. Luckily, the house turned out to be worth it. It has a ton of character, and the views are fantastic.
This is the house from the street.
An even narrower version of the street continues to the right, and that's where the parking that goes with the house is. My dad was in a smaller car, so he went up and parked there to unload, but even he wasn't brave enough to do that daily, and ended up going back down the hill to the public parking lot.
The house used to be the town's post office, as the front indicates.
There's a little patio area in front of the door with spectacular views.
The views are inside as well. The main living area has two big window seats. The birthday girl got a bowl of olives and set herself up in one right away.
The house also has a pool behind it. We had promised Vivian a birthday pool party, so once we got ourselves settled, we put on our bathing suits and jumped in. It was NOT Thailand temperature water. I was certain Elena would reject it, but she's turned into such a pool lover that she moved past it and had to eventually be forcibly removed from the pool. Vivian was very pleased with the pool and the view.
By the time everyone got washed up it was too late to start making the birthday cake. My incredible mom brought the cake ingredients and baking pans with her from the States. Instead of cake, we let Vivian have two (gasp! ;-) oreoes for dessert and sang her a rousing chorus of happy birthday. Eventually my mom did make a beautiful cake for Vivian.
Vivian was super appreciative.
I think she knows how lucky she is. That is one of my number one priorities as a parent. I love to spoil her rotten, but I want her to appreciated it gosh darn it.
By the end of that first day in Dordogne, little miss stubborn was exhausted, but refused to admit it, so we ended up with this.
It was a busy day, but a good one.
Hope you had the happiest of birthdays, sweet girl! Wish we were there with you.lots of love from Ireland!
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