Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val market

Sunday 28/04/19

The weather has been very grim since we arrived so we have been sheltering indoors.  It's rained almost continuously with strong winds yesterday, so not been much fun outdoors, and we have restricted ourselves to dog walks and ball throwing with the big dogs.

This morning  it's a bit better, still only 9 degrees but at least dry so we set off for the Sunday market at Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, about half an hour's drive from here.  Our hosts recommended it and have also been kind enough to lend us their Fiat 500 while we stay here.  It feels a bit like driving a Ferrari after Bokkie and a lot easier to drive on these roads - although I still wasn't fast enough for the French drivers who all overtook me with gusto.

Our chariot for the day

Pretty Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val

Bokkie would have been pleased to see a mode of transport slower than her

The village of Saint Antonin is picture-perfect and the market was lovely, the different smells were amazing!  We had a cup of coffee and chatted, putting the world to rights, and then wandered around the market.  We bought some of the most amazing cheeses and some vegetable flapjacks/rostis.

When we got back to the house it was time for exercise, walks and feeding the hungry mob.

Intimidation tactics if I don't take them for a walk quickly enough

Mika is huge, a real stunner

Ruby

Treat time!

The view from the garden

The stunning house we are looking after.

Apparently the May-day market at Gaillac is great so we'll head there next if the weather is good.

Near Castelnau-de-Montmiral

Friday 26/04/19

After spending a relaxing two days in Lisle it was time for Bokkie to move to the house sit.  We popped into look at the local LeClerc (supermarket) as we may do our shopping here whilst on the sit and it was enormous; quite intimidating.

Unsettled skies, signs of the storms to come.

It wasn't too far to the property, through a lovely wine-producing area.  Apparently most of the wine produced in Gaillac is consumed locally and not exported; we're keen to sample it while we are in the area.

The driveway to the property was sharper and steeper than we expected and the poor French truck driver two inches behind Bokkie must have the fright of his life when I slammed on the brakes and turned off, testing both the ABS and his reflexes.

Bokkie was hoping we had the right place, not much fun if we need to reverse out.

The property is magnificent with unbelievable views across the countryside and the hilltop village of Castelnau-de-Montmiral.  

It has been raining on and off since we have arrived so we still have to see the place at it's best but we spent a lovely afternoon getting to know our hosts and their flock: 2 Chocolate Labs, 2 Springer Spaniels, 2 Bichon's and 2 magnificent Maine Coons (Toni is in heaven).

We were treated to a wonderful sunset behind Castelnau
not a bad view from the kitchen

I think I have met my match, I got a mauling...

I think Pud might be broken

Mika assures us the animal ban in our bedroom doesn't apply to him.

We're on our own now as our hosts set off this morning to Corsica on their (huge) Triumph motorcycle. 

You don't often get to see the wind, the grass gives an idea of what it is doing, though.

Lisle-sur-Tarn

Tuesday 23/04/19



We are back in familiar territory, exactly a month after we arrived last time and we still love this place.

We hadn't planned on driving so far today but kept getting snookered by blocked roads and long detours.  We also didn't really like the feel of the planned stop, so kept going and arrived in Lisle a day early.  It's nice and close to the Gaillac house-sit and we liked it so much last time we decided to make it our last stop before the sit.  Now we're a day early but the bonus is I have the day off from driving tomorrow, Yay!

When we left the station was churning out power for the morning peak.
No obvious side-effects noted yet!

Crossing the river Garonne

We did some shopping along the way so are all set.  We think we have the use of a car at this next house sit so should be able to resupply quite easily during the two weeks.

We went for a quick walk through Lisle to stretch our legs and bumped into an old friend, Minette, the friendliest French cat that we met on our last visit.  

Fishing pond / dam next to the Aire

Only a month later but the trees are in leaf this time.

Toni is an expert at tracking down water fountains

Love the construction but not sure he got the mortar mix spot-on.
In fairness, it has lasted a couple of centuries already,

Minette, the friendliest French cat

The cutest public loo we have seen so far.

Storms are forecast for tomorrow so its probably just as well we can chill in our spot.  Now for some supper, and some good French red wine to round it off!

Donzac

Monday 22/04/19

The weather has been a bit grim the last few days, thunderstorms on Saturday evening and rain  on and off since then.  Its overcast and windy today but quite warm in Bokkie - however it doesn't make for good photography.

We continued our journey, first travelling down along the river Lot and then back up the Garonne.  We'll carry on up the Garonne tomorrow and then branch of and follow the Tarn.  We've stopped overnight in an Aire in Donzac, another lovely village.  (If you zoom out on the map at the top you will see we are sleeping across the river from a nuclear power station, we'll check tomorrow to see if we glow in the dark!)

Bokkie next to the huge pond

Neighbours

The primary school in Donzac

Some of the towns go all-in with their roundabouts

The scenery here is wonderful, the French countryside seems so neat and tidy.  After the obligatory walk, we are now hunkered down in Bokkie, reading and relaxing.   

Le Temple-sur-Lot

Easter Sunday

After a fantastic week house-sitting near Issigeac it was time for Bokkie to get on the move again.  We have to pinch ourselves every now and then to make sure we aren't dreaming; it really is a good life at the moment.  

Sorry, if your name isn't on the list of pets we won't look after you!

Photo 21 finally had them both looking up

Caramel looking dejected each time I replace the feeding muzzle

Just need a cowboy hat...

Who's walking who?

Pinky & Perky posing in the garden

You try and take a serious photo but someone is always pulling faces!

We had just got into the groove with dog walks, checking on the horses (replacing naughty Caramel's feed muzzle as she has learnt how to remove it) and relaxing.  The house we stayed in was fantastic (although we neglected to take any photos), a real privilege to share the lives people have created for themselves.  At the same time, it's great to be in Bokkie again even though it's less than a week before our next sit.

We met up with the owners who had arrived home late last night for a chat and a final goodbye to the dogs and then we set off.  We had coffee and walk about in Villeneuve-sur-Lot.

Our final destination for the day is Temple-sur-Lot which turned out to be a small but lovely village with the most amazing walks and gardens, a real find.

The smell from the Wisterias was amazing!

We've got a few day's travel with very low mileage so we're just going to take it easy and enjoy spring in France, with all of the flowers coming in to bloom. (and Toni feels it is definitely hayfever season!)