End of another stay with Loulou & Sylvie

Our last day in Figeac

But first a walk over the Pont Gambetta into town...

...and up the narrow street where Tine's blind piano teacher used to live...

...destination l'Église Notre Dame du Puy...

...with its wonderful views over the town.

Back at Loulou & Sylvie's it's lunchtime...

...and it's all hands on deck to cook a local delicacy, aligot...

...a wonderful mix of mashed potatoes and laguiole cheese.

Our technique wasn't exactly right. Better luck next time!

In the afternoon we braved the rain to drive to Cardaillac

...with its old lavoir where clothes washing was done in times past.

The tower is impressive despite grey skies

 

The skies are getting heavier but we still had time to visit Fourmagnac...

...with its gravity-defying 'fontaine', a limestone block which seems to float above the 'basin'.

Sadly rain stopped play and we were soon Figeac-bound once again, ready for our return journey next day.

Down below

There's not much to say here really, just enjoy the photos and their amazing colours.

The visit is a combination of walkways (with many steps!) and a boat journey. Practise your French with this YouTube video: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK6r9DcUuN4)

Rocamadour & Padirac

Where would you like to visit, 'Er from Brittany? Oooo, Rocamadour and Padirac sound just the job, she didn't reply, but we were all more than happy to return to these neighbouring sites on such a beautiful day.

Rocamadour in all its glory...

...now with extra added Sylvie.

Picnic by the footpath with real champagne in plastic goblets. A little coupette as Monique would say!

I'm even living dangerously by showing 'Er in a photo!

Sadly we didn't have time to visit Rocamadour village as we were booked into our next adventure, the enormous cave-system at Padirac.

View from the top

Those are people there at the bottom of the chasm

Halfway down now. I have to admit I got the lift back!

Now at the bottom...

...leaving the blue sky behind.

But I'm not alone...

...Tine & Loulou with 'Er and Sylvie chatting behind.

More next time!

Back to the SW

We invited ‘Er from Brittany to accompany us to Figeac as it has been some years since her last visit. Don’t expect too many photos of her: you know how camera-shy she is!

First day and there are blue skies, the view from Loulou & Sylvie’s as impressive as ever…

…even after dark following a lovely meal out and drinks at Rémi’s bar of course.

Next day we walked into town and and I visited Saint Sauveur’s Church whilst the others did a bit of shopping

In the afternoon we motored to Bagnac-sur-Célé…

…with its bridge dating back to Medieval times…

…and a hotel once owned by the grandparents of Tine’s yoga teacher in La Tranche!

To finish our little excursion we went past the house in Capdenac-la-Haut where we stayed for several summers

At the entrance to the village le Tour de Modon was even more impressive at dusk

Back to my daily walks

As you'll see, the weather can be pretty changeable.

There was a very big tide towards the end of October...

...but a few days later a big change in the sky!

We're now into November with clouds and waves one way...

...and stunning blue sky the other way: one of the tracks to the beach towards La Grière.

Can you spot the ragondin (coypu)? We see fewer these days as they're regarded as pests by the farmers.

The wind was so strong this day that there were waves on the boating lake

Sometimes we venture a little further: here at La Pointe de L'Aiguillon (you can just make out the port at La Rochelle on the horizon)...

...and la pointe itself, where the River Lay meets the sea.

The end of November and it looks a lot warmer than it was, looking over La Tranche...

...but still with beautiful sunsets.

What's that in the sky?

Migrating Brent or Brant geese ('Bernaches Cravant', my local expert tells me).

Moonlight & birthday boy

We always love our town but there was a special eerie magic this autumn.

It wasn't even that late when these photos were taken...

...with no-one around.

It's now 18th October and young Sacha is celebrating his 8th birthday...

...with a specially commissioned lemon drizzle cake (merci Mamie Martine).

A few days later it's party time at the Starfish

Sacha in his temporary home, back above the Starfish & Coffee. He seems happy to be there...

...as are we in front of our log fire as the evenings grow chillier.