From Bowie to Buggles...a night of 80's classics

Good fun last night at Maire where they offered up another great night of entertainment, 80's style. The band was  'Les Duarig’s' who gave us many of the classic 80's hits includinga disco section book-ended by 'La Freak' and ably supported by dancers who must have had a dozen costume changes over the evening!

Vendredi à vélo - early bikers, Barrou.

Early morning cyclists yesterday heading out among the sunflowers surrounding us here in Barrou at the moment.

A randonnee over the border...at Maire

 

Yesterday we crossed over the Creuse to join our friend Dennis and walkers from the Chatellerault Randonnee Club for an 8 km walk in the countryside around the village, here are some pics.from what was a very good walk with a fine group of people.

Windows from our sojourn in Sarlat...well it is Wednesday!

 

Included this one below as it was the perfect window onto the courtyard of 'La Lanterne' our accommodation for the trip - it was in fact Angela and Dennis' room, we only borrowed it for the photo shoot!

For our sojourn in Sarlat...

Pauline chose the accommodation for our short stay in Sarlat and it proved to be a very good decision. 'La Lanterne' is a chambre-d'hote minutes from the centre of town yet as peaceful as a country retreat. We had the 'Tapestry' room which was very comfortable. We chose to pay the extra 9 euro to have the continental breakfast which we took each morning in the lovely courtyard.  

 

For the love of castles...

 

Sitting on a rocky outcrop the 12th century medieval fortress, Château de Castelnaud in Castelnaud la Chapelle, was one of our favourite visits while in the Dordogne, offering more magnificent  views over the river valley. The village also provided us with one of our best meals of the trip at 'La Taverne du Château'.

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench in Château de Castelnaud

 

This bench proved popular after our climb up to the fabulous Château de Castelnaud during our trip to the Dordogne - more from this great visit tomorrow. 

Retracing steps.

On our great visit down to the Dordogne Dennis and Angela took us to another of the 'must see' villages of the region, Domme. This fortified medieval village sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Dordogne river valley. After a bit of a climb from the car parks you enter through the 'Porte des Tours' and back in time as not a great deal has changed since the fortifications were completed in the 14th century.

As a popular tourist destination it has of course the obligatory gift shops and restaurants but it still manages to uphold much of its authenticity.

Walking through the square onto 'Belvédère de la Barre' on

the ramparts of the village brought back family memories for Dennis and Angela of photo shoots over the stunning views.

Difficult to resist!

Taking the 'Promenade des Falaises' (cliff walk) to the west wall gives more stunning views over the river Dordogne itself.  

The walk takes you through the  Public Garden  reaching the “Moulin du Roi” (King’s Windmill) and also what looks like a fabulous water tower conversion worthy of a slot on 'Grand Designs'.

Going underground - Grottes de Lacave

After our visit to Rocamadour we stopped off at Grottes de Lacave as it was on our route and an ideal way to escape the high temperatures. Probably not the most famous of the many caves of the region they still offer an interesting visit though after the climbs of Rocamadour the steps you have to negotiate after a short 'train' ride into the caves proved  a little challenging.