Slightly sureal last night of our road-trip...

 

We decided to stop off in Bergerac to break the last part of our journey before heading home. It was a damp and drizzly afternoon and we had arrived too early to check in to our accommodation so we decided to explore the town and also try and find a bar with a TV so as I could catch the rugby. We asked a variety of friendly locals without much success before two young men checked on their phone and gave us a name and address to head for. We literally went around the houses even getting a man to shout up to the window of one of his friends who he was sure to know but sadly didn't respond! As it happens the bar in question was just around the corner and we had already passed by it but failed to notice it as it was totally shut up!

We eventually gave up and decided that we should try and see if we could get into our accommodation a little early which as it happens proved possible (more on this later) and it was equipped with a fabulous 'smart' TV. So perhaps I could just watch the rugby here? 

Unfortunately we are not as smart as the TV and despite Pauline's best efforts (so much better at these things than me) we failed to find somewhere to watch it.

We decided the only thing for it was to head back into town and try walking the streets again ( the one above was still dressed for Christmas!) and with the car safely parked if nothing else we could have a wee refreshment to cheer us (me) up. 

As luck would have it we stumbled upon the bar above which turns out to be one of the coolest bars in town. Not only did they have the match on but also had draught Guinness on tap! So we watched Ireland crush Scotland (again) on mute, drinking Guinness served by a charming Englishman dressed as a cross between  one of Dexys Midnight Runners and Jack from 'Titanic' (I swear) while listening to Supertramp's 'Breakfast in America' on a loop, sureal or what!

During our wanderings around the town we had checked out the restaurant possibilities for dining and decided on the 'Le Bellevue' which had unsurprisingly a lovely view over the river! Only problem was was they did not start serving food until 7.00pm! 

They suggested sitting in a part of the restaurant reserved for 'waiting to be seated' and we could have a drink but as it was only just after 6.00 an hour was maybe a little too long. We had a nice chat with the owner and some staff and after a charm offensive they decided to ask the chef if he could accommodate us, which he kindly did. 

The food and service was very good and we had the added bonus of having a charming Swedish couple on the table next to us who were happy to engage in conversation for the evening as the restaurant filled up. We also reacquainted ourselves with with an old friend from this region, one we got to know well on our stay in Sarlat with Dennis and Angela.

Our friend Maureen would have loved this wall in the restaurant.

Oh and did we say there was a 'Bellevue' from our table!