Mussels and ice-cream on a hot day
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382326)
Rockingham, Australia
July 6, 2017 9:16am CST
After giving the city of Pau in Fance a miss because we couldn’t find a parking spot we drove back in next day and found a place in a large parking area. We didn’t have too far to walk to the castle which we were pleased about as it was a very hot day.
We had thought about taking a bus from our camping site into the city but for various reasons, this didn’t turn out to be a viable option.
As it was lunch-time by the time we’d finished our tour of the Chateau de Pau, we stopped at a streetside café. Vince had mussels with chips and I just had an ice-cream. I did share his chips though as there were far too many for just one person.
The castle was very interesting. We saw the huge turtle-shell that was supposed to be King Henri IV’s cradle but that is just a legend. Some of the tapestries in the rooms were huge. It was all very grand and impressive but not as ornate as some we’ve seen.
The spot of red on my blouse is a kangaroo. It has helped occasionally to encourage people to have pity on our miserable French and to try out their English skills.
28 people like this
28 responses
@rebelann (117259)
• El Paso, Texas
6 Jul 17
Ok, gotta ask, are chips the same thing as french fries? I get so confused sometimes because here chips means either tortilla chips or potato chips.
I was relieved to read the you weren't eating mussels with ice cream, that would be weird.
8 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
6 Jul 17
i thought it was mussels with ice cream, too, and wondered which country/people ate that together!
yes, i think chips in australia and uk is french fries, while potato chips would be crisps, i think.
4 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Jul 17
When in France, I always tried speaking French first. The French will usually back off if you start in English. I have found they appreciate the attempt to speak their language no matter how feeble and will switch English.
4 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
6 Jul 17
@JohnRoberts oh, so you never had it as a subject in school?
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Jul 17
@hereandthere No. I only know French words that I picked up. I can read and understand more words than I can speak.
2 people like this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Jul 17
I was thinking you had ice cream with mussels in it, but I'm glad that wasn't the case 
. It's neat feeling the history in castles and old structures - what it must've been like to actually live as royalty in it! I know bits and pieces of various languages, but I sure wouldn't even get by with my French 
.
. It's neat feeling the history in castles and old structures - what it must've been like to actually live as royalty in it! I know bits and pieces of various languages, but I sure wouldn't even get by with my French .2 people like this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Jul 17
@JudyEv I guess there are translation apps out there . . . you can get the correct words out in an instant. But nahhhhh, that's just too easy . . . I think it's good to be in a situation where you are forced to try to communicate in a different language . . . to use that noggin!
1 person likes this
@topffer (42155)
• France
6 Jul 17
You finally saw the cradle
I do not know what the guides are telling about this legendary cradle today. It is not sure that it is the original, but it is impossible to tell that it is not : it was already the object of quite a cult during the 18th C, has been hidden during the Revolution and decorated in the 1820's.
These mussels look very appetizing
.
I do not know what the guides are telling about this legendary cradle today. It is not sure that it is the original, but it is impossible to tell that it is not : it was already the object of quite a cult during the 18th C, has been hidden during the Revolution and decorated in the 1820's.
These mussels look very appetizing.2 people like this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul 17
It is written about as 'legend' and the guide seemed to be saying we could make up our own mind about it but there is no proof that the story is true. There were five on our tour. Vin and I had a leaflet in English telling us all about the castle but the guide spoke in French to the others. She had good English and was happy to answer our questions.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
6 Jul 17
we call mussels tahong. it's boiled in water and ginger then we eat it with rice, so mussel with french fries is a totally unexpected combination. how would you cook it at home?
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
8 Jul 17
@JudyEv to be honest, i never thought fries would be ubiquitous in french cuisine
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul 17
@hereandthere My guess it that they are supplying what the customer wants.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (56352)
• Canada
6 Jul 17
It sounds like you had a great time after you were able to finally park in this city.
Great idea about wearing the top with the kangaroo on it, when our son travels he wears Roots (which are from Canada) or shirts that actually say Canada on it and he's treated like gold. Its amazing how people react to little things like this.
3 people like this
That cafe looks so cozy? Is it hot there, as I can see it as sunny too, like here.
@prashu228 (37518)
• India
7 Jul 17
The picture says it all..you are having a great time... enjoy your vacation..
2 people like this
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
6 Jul 17
It's funny how chips for us are potato chips and fries for us are French fries, I wonder how that all came to be? When I first saw your title I thought, oh dear, what a combination. I like both but together? Glad you are enjoying yourself.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul 17
I helped Vince eat his chips and then I had my ice-cream. I was too mean to give Vince any of the latter. Potato chips in Australia can be either packet ones like Pringles or French fries. I always wondered about the difference too.
Potato chips in Australia can be either packet ones like Pringles or French fries. I always wondered about the difference too.1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43642)
• Denver, Colorado
6 Jul 17
I found that many French speakers in Belgium liked to speak English in order to improve. Didn't spend long enough in France to test that out, other than a border guard, though.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul 17
When we were in the Czech republic, they were thrilled with the chance to practice their English too. Sometimes here, I'll be speaking with a person, me mostly in French and the other party mostly in English. I guess we're both practising. 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul 17
@teamfreak16 And sometimes we each keep translating aloud to make sure we've got it right!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43642)
• Denver, Colorado
7 Jul 17
@JudyEv - It certainly makes for an interesting conversation.
1 person likes this
@amandajay (23262)
• New Zealand
6 Jul 17
Wow looks more pretty in this picture. Hope you enjoyed the day and I would love to have ice cream at any time.. hehe
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul 17
I can eat ice-cream at any time of the day - or night - too.
@amandajay (23262)
• New Zealand
10 Jul 17
@JudyEv even me. I have had in midnight too,, lol
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19701)
• India
7 Jul 17
That is a very nice photo .You look really good. When I read the title,I wondered.So having the time of your life?Continue to enjoy the trip.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19701)
• India
11 Jul 17
@JudyEv Yes,hats do suit you.And as you are feeling good,that smile has come out very natural.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
6 Jul 17
I love mussels and the French really know how to make them delicious and they do have a way with a French Fry!! lol
2 people like this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
6 Jul 17
I would have chosen the ice cream too... As for my French... I can read it a whole lot faster than I can speak it! Need lots more practice it seems :)
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul 17
When it is really hot I can't face food - except for ice-cream! I am trying to find a French novel that isn't too hard so I can get more practice reading it.
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
6 Jul 17
Sounds like you're having a grand vacation!
2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (68246)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
6 Jul 17
What kind of ice cream did you have?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul 17
I don't know why they give such huge serves. I guess it allows them to charge a bit more and makes you think you're getting value for your money.
