Postcards from the Lot: Beau caillou

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Where's Pat and Monsieur Honey?

Today we are starting to pack up and getting ready for our departure from our "Home Away from Home" for the past twelve weeks.

We are heading off Thursday on our last week of adventure in France before we leave on a jet plane back to Canada the first week of July.

This morning the sun is shining beautifully and I would much rather be outside lounging than cleaning and packing... maybe this afternoon I can call it quits for the day and finish a bit more tomorrow.

Early April we arrived at Toulouse Airport and after approximately a two hour drive we found "Beaucaillou" in the hamlet of Dégagnac, not far from the larger town of Gourdon.

The cottage is a converted 17th Century barn and this year the owner has added a pétanque court (boules) in the lower garden.

The main floor has an open plan fully equipped kitchen and a comfortable living room, each area with it's own French doors opening onto the terrace.

Upstairs you will find the Master bedroom and an ensuite powder room and a second large bedroom with views over the back garden, plus on this level is the full bathroom and a small laundry facility on the landing.

You will find the beds most comfortable with bed linens and towels provided.

The terrace is perfect for alfresco dining or lounging in the sun when the weather permits.

There is a wood burning stove to keep the chill off on the cooler days and nights with wood supplied.

Although the village is quiet, there is enough activity in the area to keep you busy.

There is a post office, a fantastic spice shop, an epicierie/ shop for all your needs with a depot de pain (where you can pick up your fresh baguettes, croissants, pain au raisin or pain au chocolat) and there is the local Auberge restaurant.

There are many areas to walk and discover the local surroundings and the cottage is centrally situated to visit many sites in the Lot and Dordogne region of France.

There are many villages nearby with Farmer's Markets which provide an excuse for a great outing to visit new villages/ towns and the opportunity to purchase fresh local produce, breads, cheeses, pastries, meats, fresh seafood and wines to bring back to the cottage and cook a delicious feast for your lunch or supper.

If cooking is not on your agenda, there are also the rotisserie chicken vendors or "Mr. Paella" for an easy take away meal.

The village also has a plan d'eau (lake) where you can fish, picnic and enjoy the sunshine and if want to be more active there is also a tennis court here.