Travel Journal, 2017 July to September

3 Sep 2017

Built on the remains of a Gallic-Roman villa, and a place of worship since the beginning of the Middle Ages, this current Romanesque church was completed in the 11th or 12th century

Saint Léon sur Vézère

Classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, it's a gem. We had several strolls through it before Amy and Bjon (enroute to a week away) joined us for a day or so.

The photo of the church exterior doesn't do it justice. See below for a shot of the simple interior. Also other photos of our four days here.

We headed south towards Puy-l'Évêque in the Lot Valley today.

3 Sep 2017

Unadorned interior, magnificent ceiling, a thousand years of worship...

Another impressive structure, typical slate and timber wedge roof. Didn't get history.

Nor the story about this towering chateau...

3 Sep 2017

A short cycle brought us to La Roque Saint Christophe, the site of an enormous medieval troglodyte city that housed up to 1,000 people. It peaked around the end of the first millennium as defence against Viking and Norman raids.

An excellent exhibition with reconstructed equipment and models. The settlement ended around 1500 when the bishop ordered its destruction to deter annoying protestants.

3 Sep 2017

Great to have Bjon and Amy (who took this) join us for Saturday evening dinner at L'Auberge du Pont in the heart of the village.

Caught, again by Amy, doing waiter duty with the desserts next day at one of the other eccentric (to us anyway) eateries.

Amy & Bjon before heading off for the rest of their 10 day French break. Behind them are the limestone cliffs so typical of this part of the world.

30 Aug 2017

From the ferry, drove to a village near Le Mans, Saint Mars d'Outillé to stay the night. We were the only motorhomers using the half dozen free "aire" spaces

Reached St. Léon-sur-Vézère at the end of two days' driving. Set up camp in the €7/night village aire for a few days.

On the second or third day, we cycled out of the valley of the Vézère (a tributary of the Dordogne) and coasted back past some classic French architecture.

29 Aug 2017

Our first Channel crossing by Eurotunnel. A great experience; easy, quick, no fuss. Much better than the ferry for Calais crossings.

Off to France...

Well, mainly France, as we plan an excursion just over the border into San Sebastián in northern Spain as well. We caught the early ferry, 6.15am, which meant we had to set the alarm for 3.30am in the Canterbury Park'n'Ride about thirty miles to the north of the Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal.

12 Aug 2017

Here's Teddy, Louisa's pug, now well on the way to full recovery as a tripawd (yes, that's what Man's best three legged friends are called). You may recall he had a dodgy right elbow from when he was a young pup.

Several operations, a near-death experience,then amputation, and he's now well on the way to full recovery, helped by hydrotherapy (not kidding). See posts from earlier this year.

Teddy has his own instagram account (search for super_tedz).

29 Jul 2017

"Here I am saying goodbye to my Mum's side of the family". (No outdoor shots, because, believe it or not, it was raining.)

It turned out that Oscar's grandmother and step-grandfather Tom lived only a few miles from our favoured camping site in Essex. So we took the opportunity of having Oscar stay with us for a couple of days to make a visit. In the photo, Barbara, Liv's mum, with her daughters Emma (standing), Jessica and their dad, Tom.

29 Jul 2017

Morning nap. "Life on the farm with MoMo & Grandpa can be so exhausting."

24 Jul 2017

All smiles the day after the big party...

23 Jul 2017

Another first birthday party, this time the formal one! The picnic at Hampstead Heath had to be re-located to "The Stag" due to the inclement weather.