Having decided to leave on Saturday morning and Saturday being the day of the huge market in Sarlat-la-Canéda, we were away early to try and avoid any disagreeable traffic jams. Sarlat passed with no difficulty and the only other potential…

The day was mostly grey but seemed to be dry so we decided to go for a decent bike ride of about 20 miles to visit Castelnaud and for more testing of the saddle/backside combo. The route started with the…

Being one of the fortified bastide towns, Domme stands high on a bluff overlooking the Dordogne. Our campsite is halfway up a similar hill. On a previous trip we had been very French and cycled up the long drag to…

A very strange morning greeted us – blue sky. There was a very misty lining down below us in the valley but we were in sun. This unusual meteorological behaviour continued. The mist burnt off and a few clouds rolled…

First blood to McDonalds – ours! Yesterday afternoon, we tromped up into Sarlat-la-Canéda and found the advertised McDonalds easily. (It was advertised in Cénac.) Parking as close as we could but avoiding going in to buy a tea (they can’t…

A second night within occasional sight of Domme passed quietly. Consciousness returned, encouraged by a dawn chorus, at about 7:00 AM. The rain returned, drowning out the dawn chorus, at about 7:40 AM. So much for yesterday’s Aujourd’hui. Waterproofs and…

Our first night within occasional sight of Domme (when not obscured by murk)  passed without disturbance; no drumming on the roof. Consciousness returned gradually at about 7:30 AM. The rain returned gradually at about 7:45 AM. Good Lord, what an…

We had decided to tear up the vestigial roots that we were forming at our cozy little spot overlooking the cornfield in Huisseau-sur-Cosson before they became too established. We were coming to the end of our packing session ready for…

Our mornings have hitherto been a somewhat casual, relaxed affair. French time being an hour ahead of where it sensibly should be, 8:00 AM feels like 7:00 AM. We have usually managed to drag ourselves into action having had the…

Another morning of early mist. The last morning like this quickly turned into one of rain which in turn became persistent. We hoped this would be different and started with a visit to the local supermarket for some badly needed…