A very mixed bag

And I have a feeling there'll be a few more like this in the weeks to come.

This sign amused me at the microbrewery where Matt is working.

It's been a great summer for butterflies, this one on our lavender bush...

...and can you spot another on a roadside flower tub?

Still in the nature theme, we had a visitor on a clothes peg, a damselfly I believe (or should that be dam selfy)?! 

It was a relief to be out at night-time during this hot summer. View of the town from the jetty...

...and the jetty itself.

Of course summer means aquagym at le Baie d'Aunis campsite. I'm in there somewhere!

A pinched photo of many of my camper friends now able to enjoy a drink at La Paillote again.

Oradour sur Gland

It's been on our bucket list for a while and we finally visited Oradour sur Gland.

Translation of the above:

On 10 June 1944, the Waffen-SS division Das Reich, of the Nazi regime, massacred 643 civilians—men, women and children—and burned all the buildings.

Declared a national symbol after General de Gaulle’s visit in March 1945, the destroyed village was designated a historic monument by the law of 10 May 1946. It is intended to “bear witness to the whole world, through the ages, to the destruction inflicted on our territory during four years of oppression and violence.”

A stone wall was built around the entire village from 1950 onwards to protect and preserve this place of remembrance.

"Here inhabitants were buried. Pause for reflection."

The main street

You can just make out the old tramway lines in front of the ruins.

“To our martyrs.”

The women & childen were herded into this church before facing death.

Church of Oradour-sur-Glane — Silence

Here, hundreds of men, women and children

were massacred by the Nazis.

You who pass by, remain silent.

You who believe, say a prayer

for the victims and their families.

On this day of mourning, only the cross remains standing,

outside Christ’s own cross.

Before Our Lady of Lourdes and Bernadette,

ask them to suffer with Christ.

Do what the Virgin tells you.

May they rest in peace,

for they live in eternity.

I don't think these motors will be on the used any day soon...

...nor this garage.

Entrance to the girls' school.

The sign explains that four buildings were in danger of further collapse. The work aims to stabilise their walls and roofs while preserving the appearance and historical traces of the ruins.

The old post office.

Yes, our visit was very moving. Those interested might watch this clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evMptKoa0EY

Thanks to Norma & Niall for letting us join them on our way back from Figeac, and thanks to Chat GPT for the translations.

Figeac by night and market day

We only stopped for a few days but had a great time as always.

We had a lovely meal with Loulou & Sylvie (later joined by Rémi)...

...and walked back through the town. That's the covered market place above...

...and the back door to les Canailles (Rémi's first bar) which we were told was once a house of ill repute!

Another day we walked through more narrow streets, destination l'Alexandrie, Rémi's second bar.

I can't find any explanation for this archway in le Place de la Lecture, but I understand it's a very popular place to stop and read your book.

Our last morning now and it was market day...

...always very busy with visitors coming from out of town.

Right in the centre of town, the covered market place which has had a major renovation in the last twelve months.

Sat outside l'Alexandrie Tine is ready for the next step of our mini-break.

Figeac by day

As usual we did quite a bit of wandering in town. At least there's plenty of shade in the medieval streets.

Two views of the Pont Gambetta, near to Loulou & Sylvie's

A side view of l'Église Saint-Sauveur

A typical residence with hanging garden.

The first view of the medieval town when you arrive from Aurillac

Phew, a bit of shade in the narrow back streets...

...leading to l'Église Notre-Dame-du-Puy

...with its magnificent views over the town.

A strange sign here for a natural healer. Alternative medicine is fairly common in France.

Back down in town and still chasing the shade!

The stone tower is all that remains of the ancient 'Couvent des Clarisses'

Another trip to Figeac

Although it's a 5 & 1/2 hour drive to visit Loulou & Sylvie we love our short stays in Figeac.

The view over the rooftops from 'our' bathroom on the front of the house...

...and looking at the back from the garden.

The pool has been put to good use in this summer's heatwaves.

Al fresco eating under the vines.

Nephew Rémi now has two apartments in this block.

Looking up from the inner courtyard...

...and the entrance to his latest acquisition.

Loulou has been doing much of the renovation...

...and it's already sleepable in!

Then back down the stairs and into the hot sunshine.