Well, on Friday, June 10 of 1983, just before immigrating to the USA, I did get to travel along with Pieter as he visited once more a mushroom grower that produced inside the marl caves.
This time it was the big company of Blanchaud Champignons in Saumur, France.
Founded in 1948 by Maurice Blanchaud.
Founded in 1948 by Maurice Blanchaud.
We had arrived early in the morning together with Pieter and his friend Chris, HOPING to see their Saumur Château on the River Loire.
Saumur is more to the left on this map and their château is not on this card, neither do we have photos...
Well, Madame Blanchaud let us in through the impressive foyer and walked us straight THROUGH the Chateau and out on the terras, overlooking the River Loire.
Not quite the tour my friend and I had dreamed of...
While the men were gone, to work out the design of a mushroom plant, we had to manage on our own!
While the men were gone, to work out the design of a mushroom plant, we had to manage on our own!
Well, it was beautiful on the River Loire but now I had to converse in FRENCH!
Madame Blanchaud knew how to help us become more 'fluent'... she started serving us wine in the morning!
Good grief, how would we LAST till lunch time, when our husbands would return...?!
This is their label: Blanchaud champignons de Paris or Whole Button as we know them.
Yes they did grow them in marl caves and they also had a large cannery!
Yes they did grow them in marl caves and they also had a large cannery!
Finally the husbands returned from the mushrooms in the marl caves.
But friend Chris made one mistake, picking up the bottle and studying its label... So we had to live through yet another round of wine!
But friend Chris made one mistake, picking up the bottle and studying its label... So we had to live through yet another round of wine!
Husband Pieter now seated next to me and enjoying the red wine from the bottle Chris just studied...
After all, they just returned from work and had not had any wine yet!
Chris is the person that built the Mushroom Plants for Campbell Soup, here in Dublin and in Hillsboro, Texas and the Blanchaud family wanted to build a modern plant as well...
After all, they just returned from work and had not had any wine yet!
Chris is the person that built the Mushroom Plants for Campbell Soup, here in Dublin and in Hillsboro, Texas and the Blanchaud family wanted to build a modern plant as well...
From 8:00 on, Ad (next to Pieter) and I had to drink wine with Madame Blanchaud (in black)...
My French was getting better and better - haha!
FINALLY... lunch time!
But we ran out of luck AGAIN... no seating inside the restaurant, so we had to wait outside and enjoy an apéritif while waiting.
That's easy... just more drinking and BETTER FRENCH!
Madame Blanchaud used her hands while talking...
Suddenly I got a terrible HICCUP!
Now Madame Blanchaud taught me how to stand, while drinking water from the opposite side of the glass in order to cure that nasty hiccup. It WORKED!
We had a delicious meal inside the restaurant, no photos as our photographers with their camera were not at their best...
Monsieur Blanchaud was fetching us a BOX of the red wine (the one that Chris liked), at a nearby vineyard and he would drop it off at our hotel.
So we had to WAIT
We all had collapsed in our room on the bed... we had adjacent rooms with connecting door.
Without turning the light on, I made this photo after I'd climbed on top of the armoir - an aerial view of some worn out Dutch people in France!
~
Finally the box with Saumur Champigny wine bottles got delivered and we all could finally retire...
We slept and got cured from our drinking daze!
That was at the Novotel, Blois in France...
Life in the Mushroom Business can be quite interesting!
Stay tuned for more!
Related posts:
Royal Champignon 1954 Inside Marl Caves in France | previous post
Pieter Visiting Marl Cave Mushroom Grower in Bordeaux France | previous post
1965 Pieter visiting French Mushroom Grower Sarrazin near Historic Compiègne | previous post
French Claron Antique Postcards of Marl Cave Mushroom Growing | previous post
1958 Tragedy for Pieter's Mushroom Friends in Zichen-Zussen-Bolder in Belgium | previous post
Husband Pieter visiting Mushrooms in the Cave - Bradford-on-Avon in England | previous post
Husband Pieter's Design for the Campbell Mushroom Plants in Dublin, GA and Hillsboro, TX | previous post
I would love to visit France, love those photos, so pretty! Have a lovely day ☺
ReplyDeleteDearest Natalia,
DeleteOh, you still are young enough for making it to France!
Thank you for your visit and keep creating those TOP videos with great cooking; including mushrooms.
Hugs,
Mariette
Wine in the morning! It does help make your French more fluent LOL :-) The terrace looks spacious and very pleasant with the view of River Loire. Such a beautiful area.
ReplyDeleteOh I have to try that method when I have hick-up next time. I'm glad it worked for you. Love the photo of "worn out Dutch people in France" :-) What a great memory!
Have a great day, Mariette xo
Dearest Tamago,
DeleteWell, we were not happy with wine in the morning but we managed to live through those waiting hours and had lots of fun.
A memorable trip all together and so short before our departure for Georgia/USA where there is a different restaurant culture.
Hugs,
Mariette
I would be asleep! Even a few sips of wine have an effect on me, I'd never be able to start drinking wine in the morning. LOL. Well, at least you remember this, the alcoholic haze wasn't too bad. Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteDearest Kim,
DeleteHaha, sleeping sounds far better than wine in the morning... This was involuntary but we lived through it!
No, that haze went away rather quickly after some good food and now we only can laugh about the whole thing.
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Agnes,
ReplyDeleteThose are hilarious memories to treasure.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, You all look so comfortable on that patio with the beautiful Loire River in the background. That is really living the High Life!
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteYes, it sure was a very special time spent together as friends!
France and its Loire Valley offer wonderful vistas.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hih hih ;-) Funny memory
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteYes indeed, they make us laugh about it still... fond memories!
Hugs,
Mariette
What lovely memories, Mariette. I'd love to visit France again and explore new parts of the country and culture. It's been ages since I've been on such a trip.
ReplyDeleteDearest Debbie,
DeleteThose are precious and hilarious memories in French language!
You are far closer to France from your area than we are, so why not go?!
Hugs,
Mariette
Una vita sempre in movimento la tua, sicuramente affascinante. Belle fotografie, mi piace moltissimo quel patio.
ReplyDeleteUna serena serata a te.
Caro Giancarlo,
DeleteGrazie e anche a me mi piace quel patio con la vista della Loire.
Un abbraccio,
Mariette
I smiled while looking and reading each image and I can't help but think what an amazing and fun life you had along with your Pieter.
ReplyDeleteI love and feel the enjoyment and fun you're all having.
Great memories and specially cause you have such amazing pics of every time and era from your past.
Thank you for sharing it dear friend. I sure enjoyed this post !
Fabby
Dearest Fabby,
DeleteThank you and yes that was a hilarious and fun day, also productive for the men at least!
Hugs,
Mariette
You must have been confused with hick-up suddenly happened in front of your friends. The madame was great. Wisdom in daily life brings us happiness.
ReplyDeleteDearest RTC,
DeleteYou bet that was quite embarrassing and you just want to dissolve...
Madame knew a good working solution and I never will forget her nor what to do if that ever would happen again!
Our entire life is a chain of little bits of wisdom gathered...
Hugs,
Mariette
LOL! I love it Mariette! Yes, wine eases the tongue and allows one to speak French a bit better. I know it has helped me! Stay well, dear friend. Sending love to you and Pieter.
ReplyDeleteDearest Barb,
DeleteGuess you are right and by now you will have tested and proved it.
Hugs,
Mariette