The farm of ‘La Giraudiere’ was owned for many years and
many generations by the Bomard family.
I recall meeting the elderly Mme Bomard when I first visited the place
in the early 70s. At that time,
she was already an older person, someone I knew had seen many changes in her
life. (She died in the
1980s). The Bomard daughter, Marie-Jose,
had married Auguste Gerard, and the couple were running the farm, which eventually
evolved into a dairy farm. For years, I heard stories of Auguste
and of how he really liked the Dalle children. During the late 40s, throughout the 50s and into the 60s
when the family spent a month here, the Dalle kids, Reginald being the youngest,
spent much of their time following M. Gerard around the farm. When he retired, his daughter,
Marie-Yvette, took over running the dairy farm and ran it for many years until
she retired a year or so ago.
Saturday was a kind of “homecoming” for the Bomard family
and for Germaine and Reginald. The
eldest Bomard daughter, Nicole, wanted to receive her family for her
birthday. They asked to use the “Grange,”
and they spend all day Saturday and most of Sunday visiting each other. We were invited to two aperitifs, and I
met many of them. I have to say
they are a charming family. They
recounted stories of spending time with the Dalle kids and the fun they all
had. For the cocktail hour, they
served a drink that was interesting but not my favorite—rose wine with
grapefruit syrup.
Reginald and Nicolas spent the day discussing the fate of
the property now that Bruno is gone.
I think they have come to some decisions, but there is still much to be
resolved.
Sunday, we all got up late (still not over jet lag), and had
a nice brunch at 10:30. Today was
the perfect day weather-wise. The
high was 78, and there were no clouds.
If it could stay this way….
Germaine and crew had to return to Paris, but I have to say I will miss
that little Iris, Marie-Adele’s little girl. She is so sweet, not demanding at all, and easily
amused. She will soon be walking;
that is when the fun will begin.
For some reason, Reginald and I spent this beautiful day resting,
reading, sleeping, and just lounging.
