Two years ago I happened to notice that September 18 was designated as National Cheeseburger Day in the USA. I mentioned it to Eluiza and suggested that we go to McDonald's to celebrate. In truth, I was looking for an excuse to have an American-style burger. Because of her cultural background (Eluiza is Brazilian), she expected that the day would be celebrated as a festival with a parade, balloons, and cheeseburgers. She waited for the news to show what this big celebration was all about but alas was disappointed. I then explained to her that it is just an industry promotional gesture to get people to remember to eat their cheeseburgers. She was shocked and, I think, a little disappointed. This became a joke for us but also an occasion to eat cheeseburgers.
Since it was my cooking day, I decided we'd spend this year's National Cheeseburger Day by going on a picnic. I grilled the burgers with onions and brought along some Italian potato salad (potatoes, eggs, tomatoes, onions, green beans in wine vinegar with salt, pepper, and oregano), and fruit. Off we went to a park not far from home on the Loire River in Brives-Charensac. My plan was that we would eat our lunch and take a walk along the river. This is a beautiful place and one of my favorites because of the 13th century bridge that has half fallen down in the river. The town is also on the old Roman road leading to Lyon. Unfortunately, the town was too crowded with other lunch-goers, and there was no place to park or sit and eat. 
Off we went down the country road and ended up a few miles away in Bouzol, site of an 11th-century fortress that has to be one of the ugliest buildings in France. We visited the chateau in 2019 (see blog). I was skeptical about finding a place for our picnic but eagle-eyed Eluiza not only found a little niche, but 2 picnic tables to boot! They looked as though they had been set-up there recently.
Eluiza was rather proud of her find. Here she is pictured with the other picnic table. The chateau is the background.
Our picnic was quite pleasant. It was located in a valley that had been at one time a heavily-guarded outpost on the Loire River. We walked closer to the chateau (which was closed for the season) and found a couple benches that allowed us to view the valley below. What a beautiful sight! Our alternative plan turned out way better than the original! After we left Bouzol, we trundled along a smooth, two-lane country road called D-535 and arrived in Monastier-sur-Gazeille.
For a small town, Monastier is pretty busy. It seems to offer its people a lot of amenities, and it takes advantage of a magnificent view of the valley. More recently-built single-family dwellings on the edge of the village makes it even larger.
We had planned to find a café and happened upon Pâtisserie La Jonquille. This place is amazing. Not only does it serve coffee and tea, but it offers bread, pastries, chocolates, and ice cream--all made in the shop's kitchens. We had some ice cream and then headed down a steep hill and then upward a steeper hill.
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| The nave of the church ready for the next exposition or concert |
Above the altar is a sight I have only seen one other time in an old church in Rome: God as a white-bearded old man flanked by a couple angels.
The bulky protruding sides of the church illustrate how builders "propped up" these old Romanesque churches, which emerged in the late 900s. They were popular until the 12th century when the Gothic churches arrived on the scene and "soared" into the heavens. 
Churches provided gathering places for people in medieval towns. In front of the church is what used to be a public laundry.
The church overlooks the valley where the town has provided picnic tables and park benches. What a find! We quickly made plans to return here for another picnic.
Stone makes for some beautiful village sights. Here is a walkway next to the church.
Travels with a Donkey in the Cervennes is an interesting travelogue of Stevenson's pilgrimage in southcentral France.
Our brief but full three-hour adventure had turned out well. We had our cheeseburgers. We had a nice quiet day in the French countryside. And we found some new places close to home that could provide us with a quick get-away to some fun with some gorgeous scenery.
Happy National Cheeseburger Day!
