A surprise on our journey back

We set off in pouring rain...

...but this rainbow gave us a positive feeling!

Needing to stretch our legs we pulled into an 'aire de repos' between Saintes & Rochefort

Following signposts we made our way to La Galaxie des Pierres Levées, an intriguing sculpture project

Eventually there will be 365 megaliths representing the five continents

It's a long-term project not due to be completed until the 2060s...

...when I reckon Tine & I won't be around!

Meanwhile you can enjoy some of the 45 sculptures already in place

Here's a video clip, interesting even if you don't speak French!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ob_-XNdZWU

Pre-Christmas visit to Figeac (2)

Of course we had to wander through the narrow medieval streets.

Big works going on at the covered market place

La Rue Gambetta where Tine's Mum once had a shop on the left, just around the bend

The tall buildings often hide inner courtyards

The middle door on the left led the way to Tine's old piano teacher

La Rue du Canal where there is no canal to be seen these days...

...but an artist's impression of how it might have looked once upon a time.

Behind Tine & Sylvie there's a good example of an open top floor which was once used for drying tobacco grown locally. 

Nearly home where access to my inlaws' road is a bit difficult at the moment...

...but all is well at Les Canailles for les filles!

Pre-Christmas visit to Figeac (1)

It's a near five and a half hours' drive to visit my in-laws in Figeac but it's a lovely journey, especially once past Bordeaux, and we always have a good time with plenty of laughs (not forgetting plenty of food & drink)!

On arrival in Figeac we noticed the town sign turned upside down: the latest protest of agricultural workers over here. Le plus ça change.

Rémi, Sylvie, Caro & Loulou joining Mr & Mrs Blogger for one of many apéritifs

We visited Rémi's apartment on the first floor here...

...and a view of the interior balconies.

More interesting for some, our nephew's collection of footwear!

A fascinating building hidden away in the centre of town...

...the suspended staircase now beautifully renovated.

And next door the great Puce à l'Oreille restaurant...

...where this happy crew enjoyed yet more food & drink.

Odds & ends before galavanting again

We were back home to very wet and stormy weather despite what you see in some of these photos.

So plenty of time to play indoors with Sacha. Excuse the fire screen cleaning proof in the background!

All that rain means it's green everywhere: the normally very sandy approach to the cousins' house.

As usual I can't resist a good sea & skyscape...

...or a reflective view of the three residences on the front (plus le pavillon far left).

Some say you don't make new friends as you get older. Meet Mehdi, Selim & Élodie, lovely new arrivals in La Tranche.

The coypus are back, but in far fewer numbers. Not pictured here: the damage done by wild boar in recent times. There must be some good truffles around!

Also back, impressive but dangerous pine processionary caterpillars. Keep your pets away!

All this wandering, it's good to get back to our log fire.

STOP THE PRESS!

Just as I was preparing this post look at the video Matt sent on the road to Longeville by the second  turn-off to La Terrière!

No wonder so many vehicles are damaged each year.

Return to damage...

 ...but not too bad! There was a big storm shortly before our arrival.

You can still spot a few tomatoes...

...but their supports look more like the pick-up-sticks game we played when we were young.

At the bottom of the garden: not one...

...but two fence panels were destroyed in the storm. (Note the artichokes are well on their way for next late spring's harvest!)

Where Marie's bar is situated in the summer...

...it looked more like the Tunisian desert.

Walking back towards home I spotted this cormorant drying its wings...

...and lichen sprouting on fencing. It's a sign of clean air, but we knew we had that anyway!

Gayle Beck & journey back

Just round the corner from Les's rental cottage was equally impressive.

There was a ford through the river but not very passable after recent heavy rain

Wonderful Yorkshire

Two sides of the bridge

Just below the bridge is an old cotton mill

Tine is inspecting the channel that used to feed the water wheel (sadly now removed)

So it was farewell to Les as she headed up to Hexham whilst we made our way back to our château on Baildon Moor on a glorious day.

We had to stop en route to admire Pen-Y-Ghent in the distance...

...and the ever-photographic Ribblehead Viaduct.

And that was it for another UK visit. Two days later we were back on the ferry on our return journey.