Holiday comes to an end

We arrive in Chalais in the Charente after having a week walking with the local French group up in Valencay. The weather here isn’t any better to start with, but as the week progresses the sun starts to appear, although once the clouds come out its still very cold. So much so that the logs are stoked up into the log burner come the evening.

Jo and Tony’s Gite is perfect when it gets cold, so nice and cosy, and the log burner soon warms the place up.

Didn’t really need the fire going to keep warm, the constant frenetic activity visiting friends, going out for dinners, lunches, appero’s, playing cards and sequence along with all manner of events and activities didn’t allow our feet to stay still for more than the time to down another glass of wine. But it was amazing although totally shattering. In fact, our last day in France, was the only day we managed to have to ourselves. One day in 30 and we still have not managed to get round to see all our friends and neighbours in the Charente. Next time.

Now its time to return to the UK to allow our body to get back to normal, and the opportunity to eat and drink slightly less. In truth there is the necessity to cut back dramatically. We will have to increase our fasting days to four a week. But it won’t happen. Things just happen, especially enjoyment and friends.

First Sunday and its off to Aubeterre for morning coffee with Jo, Tony and Mike and Annette. Market day and even though it was damp and chilly people tried to look summery.

Something is funny

conferring with another team member

One of the days was spent on a Treasure hunt organised by Claudia and Roger. It was their tenth anniversary of being in France. We met Lee and David who became our partners for the day. Unfortunately, we didn't win, although we were geed up to win, and quite confident.Perhaps too confident.

Started at 2.30 and managed to get back by the time limit of 7pm, in need of a drink and nibbles prior to the lavish BBQ prepared by Claudia and Roger

All happy to be back for a refresher.......so hot

Odd bottle on the table

After eating and drinking so much we decided that it was necessary to try and get at least some exercise. So off we head with Jo and Tony for a 12 k circular walk from Montignac le Coq sweeping through pleasant hamlets and villages under the searing heat. It was tremendous, the villages were decked out in their bunting and bedecked with flowers, lakes were teaming with fish and dotted with lilies whilst the farmers trolled through the fields dispensing more nitrates to pollute the rivers. 

Then it was back to a friends house for a well deserved cup of tea. Nearly forgot, we did find a well laden cherry tree that was overhanging the lane that was in need of testing. The rip dark red cherries were superb, they were so juicy and refreshing. Scrumping at our age.

Then it was a fast dash back to J&T's before heading out for dinner with Linda. Her food as per usual was different and full of flavour, excellent dinner.   

The following morning it was more shopping and then another 12k walk, this time around Pillac. Great mixed walk, along country lanes and tracks, through woods and fields full of crops. Past a farm that had scatty guinea fowl strutting at speed across the padocks. A mass of grey with neck stretched out moving as one in a wave of motion making an awful racket.

Then we got lost.

The map showed a clear route through a wood, which was confirmed by markings on the road. But the wide track petered out within a matter of metres, overgrown by ferns and broken tree branches. We manoeuvred ourselves through the melee until we reached a wider path, but this then headed off in the wrong direction, ultimately leading us to a drunken workforce who was trying there hardest to erect some form of hide, to lay in wait for unsuspecting animals to wander by before being dispatched in a hail of shotgun fire. We swiftly retraced our steps, and headed back to the road where we took a more circuitous route to eventually bring us back on track.

The track from the main road was also quite difficult to see, but after quite a lot of road walking it appeared on the right. This took us through a Chasse enclave with shooting pens lining the track and out into a field full of maize, albeit only the first 4 inches of growth. Eventually we reached a clear track that cut through the woods and into another hamlet that seemed to perch on a cliff edge overlooking the vastness of the valleys below. The track lead us down through the woods before emerging in a valley with more small hamlets before climbing back up to another hamlet called Chez Thomas.

In fact when we initially came to France in search of a restoration project this was the first place we visited. It was a house with the roof falling in, a separate barn that had already collapsed and a beautiful small barn with fantastic views in tremendous condition.

We nearly bought it, but the land that the agent told us we owned, was not actually included in the sale. So we walked away.

Today, we went to see what had happened to it.

Now everything was in ruins, even the small barn. So sad, such a shame.

Another rush back to base before another night on the tiles.

Then our last full day before heading off. A day spent just together touring through the countryside, heading towards Chateauneuf s charent, then onto St Simon and the glorious Abbey of Bassac before taking lunch.

Then it was over to Segonzac  the home of the finest premier cru cognac, Archiac and Jonzac. One of my favourite towns and a superb hunting fishing shop, where Judith treated me to a special memento of France. A new ultra light Liner Laguiole pen knife and a wonderfully crafted bone handled fishing knife, a .

Superb. Just a big boy scout at heart.