A Friday in the Lot Valley

We spent Friday with K & M visiting various villages situated on or near the river in the Lot Valley.

First stop was Prayssac where the Friday farmer’s market was in full swing.

We were lucky today in finding another hollyhock plant and a foxglove of a good size for “Le Petit Gite’s” garden. We are certain to see the flowers on these plants.

Not too many photos of the market...here's a Lavender vendor.

Next stop was Puy-l’Eveque a village situated on the river. The tourism flyer states it’s  "Well worth the Detour ! "

Where did the name come from? “Puy derives from the latin word “podium: meaning a hill or a promontory.

The village was incorporated into the territory ruled by the bishop of Cahors at the end of the Albigensian Crusade (1227).

Today it is a quiet village.  The best viewpoint of the old quarter is on the far side of the river (left bank). We viewed the river from both sides…high above from the

Main Square

where the Town Hall is located and from the left bank below.

Our imported Canadian politician rubbed shoulders with the local candidates.

From here, we travelled thru wine country onto our next destination of Belaye, a very small commune situated high above the Lot River.

We strolled thru the lanes of the commune, with many photo ops for our Canadian visitors and viewed the ruined structure.

Our last stop was back in Prayssac, at our French Connection friends for refreshments and a quick visit before heading back to Gourdon.

Here is their tree which has had a massive haircut in December 2011. By August it will be fully leafed out.

Standing amidst the vines & dandelions, in the field next to our French friends. 

Stay tuned for more from Don't miss a Market Day at Sarlat, Sunday in Beynac & tour of Chateau des Milandes (former residence of Josephine Baker).

A Slow Day!

Slow Day

We awoke with intentions of having a slow day.

It was raining so “Picasso”  drove us to  the local Garden Centre “ Gamm Vert”  to satisfy agriculturalist M’s interests.

Here we spent time looking at seeds, and many flowers, plants, trees for both indoors and outdoors.

Orchids for Uncle E.

On the advertisement Board, we spotted the above…order your chickens now.

From here, we ventured down the road to a nearby village Salviac and we found a restaurant called “Auberge de Quercy” serving lunch, which is very popular with the local workers.  

The Menu de Jour included four courses, buffet of hors d’oeuvres, grilled sausages and penne pasta, cheese platter, choice of dessert, and included Cahors wine and espresso coffees …all for 12.50 Euros. 

The proprietor also offered us Calvados with our coffees.

The honeys’ drove to the nearby Agricultural Museum where there were buildings housing many 100s’ of old farm tractors and agricultural implements including a tobacco baling press, tobacco plug maker, potato digger, and other equipment the purpose of which is now lost in time and motor cycles, bicycles and automobiles.

The women folk sauntered the village streets, visiting the local Tourism Office and a mercantile store, “A la Confiance”; where K purchased some fine French tea towels and napkins, which she will enjoy in her Kitchen.

The womenfolk later met their honeys at the local Brocante…where we spent no money.

Reflection in the mirror of the house across the street

On our return trip, we toured the commune of “L’Abbaye-Nouvelle” (New Abbey). The gothic church of the Abbey is the last building still intact of a Cistercian monastery founded in the 13^th century, built by the monks over a period of 30 years.

Since 1990 the Abbey has been the site for a “Fete des Plantes” (Plant Festival) held the 3^rd Sunday of May. Luckily, Honey & I will still be here and we plan to attend. So stay tuned for more photos from the Abbey.

A Little Piece of Canada Landed

Company’s Arrived…a new Dimension  

Today, lundi 09 April 2012, we drove from Gourdon to Toulouse airport to pickup our friends, K & M.

We awoke to heavy fog;  we travelled some narrow, winding roadways with the posted speed limit of 90km until we picked up the A20 (major highway with a maximum speed of 130km).

Easter Monday is a holiday in France and for sure, everything is closed… absolutely everything….well, maybe not some of the cafés.

We arrived back in Gourdon early afternoon; a light snack and then a quick orientation stroll around town for our guests.

In the evening, we made a visit to the Wi-Fi café, La Promenade for a drink and a little bit of dessert ...similar to chocolate fondant & vanilla ice cream. 

Second day of guests, after a goodnights' rest...we ventured out to the Supermarket for afew supplies...

After some info from the fish monger, we purchased some cod for our dinner and some smoked haddock.

Then a couple of different pates for appetizers.

Melon with port and prosciutto for starters

Cod with lemon & herbs..rosemary potatoes

For dessert ...creme brulle with strawberries.

We went to bed fully satiated!!