Califrench Cuisine: Puy de Dome, Auvergne

The rain left room for the sun and I took the 20-minute train ride up the 500-meter volcano to see the view from the top of the Puy de Dome. Oh what a view! You can see a chain of several "puys" or dormant volcanoes and beyond! It is so peaceful and gorgeous. And the clouds, haaa the clouds, they are gorgeous too. This big needle thing on top of the dome, sucks them up and analyses them. I liked the old tower that you can see on one of the picture of the self-explanatory panels along the top. Oh well, this one is better... progress I tell you..

I talked to the sheep at the bottom of the puy then drove to this once-a-stable inn to have a lovely lunch at I'Auberge de Mazayes. I got a good taste of the terroir (famous for Cantal and many other cheeses) and a feel of the lovely campagne.

I spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden/orchard of my wonderful host in Romagnat, next to Clermont-Ferrand. Looking at the deep blue sky and the fluffy clouds while sipping tea. This house is made of mud and wood from the surrounding land. It's beautiful, eco-friendly and very welcoming. As is his host who also took me with him and his friend to feed some owls that they are helping in a barn not so far! I finished the day picking apples and walnuts and gathering lavender to take home from his garden. I mean, come on, that's hospitality in Auvergne or what?! :-) All around, beautiful.