Out to France for three months

 Out to France for three months. Lazing about, painting, plus the obligatory weekly walks and the reacquainting of our old friends.
But first we head out for a weeks walking with the Chalais walking group, up in the hills at the back of Carcassonne. 
Plenty of walking, sightseeing, eating, drinking and of course catching up with our French walking friends.

trip and lunch on the Canal de Midi

Then its to espelette  in the pyrenees, staying at tour usual hostel, owned by our local commune. Weather has deteriorated , but it doesn't stop us walking. Unfortunately, one of our walkers slipped as we came down a mountain and ended up with a broken ankle. The local emergency services were amazing and soon had her in the major emergency centre in Bayonne.

after three wonderful days in Espelette only marred  by the accident, we head back to the Charente and our French home.

And its wall to wall walking, eating and enjoying oneself.

Great to see the cherry tree overflowing with gorgeously sweet and succulent fruit 

Manage to keep the lawn under control with help of Mike, the lad who now maintains it whilst we are away

Plenty of fun at Claudia's, who hosted another murder mystery. Yes, l have to own up. I was the dastardly killer. 

Bun fight at the Chatignac lunch to celebrate the bread oven walk. In fact it was very well organised, considering about 200 people attended.

Continued to walk with the Brie sur Chalais group on a Tuesday morning. Fantastic group of people. 

And as per normal there were the odd picnic, indoors as its too hot outside. You cant believe that you need to hid indoors. But unless you have shade it can become overpowering. But whats nicer than an early morning walk whilst its still manageable, followed by a leisurely lunch with friends. 

Managed a few walks with the Chalais group, Guy was back leading the group on the Friday, after being away ill for many months. So pleased to see him back to his normal self.

Had a week on the coast, just the two of us. We needed a rest from the hectic lifestyle, some time to ourselves to relax and regroup. And also to get away from the stifling heat, with great sea breezes to cool us down, fantastic seafood and a mixture of walks. Whats not to love. Perhaps the late night revellers. 

 Lucky enough to manage quite a few evening walks with food and drink to break up the 10k walks.
You walk for a while and then have apero's. Walk a little more and have a starter with wine. Some more walking and you sit down for the main course and more wine. Then its cheese. WITH MORE WINE. Then its back to the Salle de Fete and pudding, coffee and a sleep before you fall over. Its such a hard life.

Annette and Alan tucking into a starter with the odd glass of wine on one of the evening walks.

Clive listening intently to the crack, or then again he could have been just waiting for me to top his wine up.

Brie sur Chalais group taking shade on one of the early morning walks

Cornish pasties French style. One per person. And a sling to carry your stomach home afterwards.

It was Bastille day at the lake in Brossac with 30 minutes of fireworks to end the day. After a leisurely time consuming some traditional Cornish pasties. Never seen things as large. But they were absolutely gorgeous.

Another evening walk, tables set out for the hordes. On occassions they would report that 1000 people attended the evening walk, although, because everyone is spaced out over a four hour starting slot, you never seem to feel overcrowded. The Rioux-Martin evening walk is always the most popular and extremely well organised.