Lunch out

Saturday, 8th August - very warm and humid but cloudy and dry.  Indoors, a ’window of opportunity’ presented itself so we decided to go out for “le midi” al fresco and head to a favourite restaurant, L’Alcazar,  in the square inside Montmédy Citadel. 

When we arrived in the Citadel, the fountains were playing in the small place in the centre - and so was a busker with mostly French accordion music but also one startling break in the traditional sounds for a rendition of “Don’t Fence Me In”.  It seemed appropriate.

While this was going on the artists packed up their stuff and drove off, only to return half-an-hour later to set up again - their's was a short midi break!  They started painting again, some taking advantage of the pool of water at the base of the fountain which was scooped into containers for paint brushes while some young people straddled the fountain wall to reach for the tumbling water with which to splash hands and faces in an attempt to cool off.  

Ron brightened when he saw moules frites on the menu, then disappointed to hear the dish was only being served in the evenings this weekend.  Instead he chose jambon braise (hot ham) which was served with salad and chips. 

I opted for a ham and melon salad, which was also served with chips, and which turned out to be a work of art in itself.

The desserts menu was hard to resist…

A Coco-Choco

 

My refreshing lime sorbet.

A cat, which reminded us of one of our past pets, Buster, visited the diners but didn’t worry for food. Neither did he seems interested in doing so - we think he just liked the company. Buster used to visit all the neighbours too.

It was a delicious lunch and a very welcome break from the daily routine.

Lunch at Montmédy Citadelle.

Tuesday, 16th June 2015.  Another warm day with a mix of sunshine and clouds.  We decided to go to Montmédy.

On the way, we diverted to the village of Juvigny and spent a pleasant half-hour at its pretty river-side spot.  Everything looked so lovely and peaceful, I couldn’t resist capturing it yet again...

Something fascinating about viewing a river from a bridge!

While I take a short stroll along the river bank.

We then continued to Montmédy and headed up the hill to the Citadelle. There’s a lot of restorative work being done on some of the buildings and the interior of the church.  The car park is very dusty and old fireplaces and stone shelves can be seen - once the space must have been an interior of an old house or hall.

 

The bar, which re-opened last year, was sadly closed - perhaps only open in high season - so we decide to head for a café and have the plat du jour.  It turns out this was something we both had in mind but neither had expressed the thought, both of us deciding to “go with the flow” of the day.

It was such a pleasant day that tables and chairs were set outside and it being 12.30. most were full, but there was one at the edge which seemed to be waiting for us.  There were small and large groups of people inside too.

The waitress was very busy and we had to wait to order but it wasn’t a problem. The café is in the main square, grand houses around it, across from the church, and a  pretty inner square, with fountain.

Our drinks were welcome and the food was delicious and worth waiting for. 

By the time we had finished our leisurely lunch the indoor and outside tables had all but cleared but were soon re-filled by others looking for refreshment in the sunshine.

 This was not our first visit to l’Alcazar…nor will it be our last.

Out of the Citadelle, a short way down the hill...

 is a wash-house.

The interior has a dry basin…

 

...and some interesting, old graffiti! 

 

We did not leave our mark but headed home with happy memories of a good day out.