A Walk in the French Countryside

#Degagnac#Nature#Caminos

"Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees." ...

John Muir

Today (Monday) after our morning chores of grocery shopping in Gourdon, an interesting visit to the Pharmacy to have a prescription filled for Monsiuer Honey, a refuelling stop for the Citroën and a late lunch Madame M. and I went for a stroll through the countryside in and around Dégagnac.

While we walked the Caminos to Santiago de Compostella the two of us did not "blah blah" much but today there was a lot of "blah blah" about this and that! 

While walking the Caminos we had a mutual understanding and respect to not to talk too much ... I can't speak for Madame M. but I used the silent time to meditate and reflect. 

A beautiful butterfly bush that I saw on today's walk ... what a gorgeous colour!

    And then a pretty wild flower growing on the road side ...

A relaxing and peaceful time wondering through the French countryside !

Sunday Lunch on the Dordogne ... "La Gabarre"

#LaGabarre#Auxfountainesd'eyvigues#Chocolat#Dordogne#Gourdon

This Sunday morning was different from our previous ones ... we needed to make a visit to the Emergency Dept. at the local hospital as Monsieur Honey was stung by a nasty wasp (guêpe) in his hand the day before and overnight his hand had swollen to twice/ thrice it's size.

He was quickly attended to by a nurse and Doctor, given some medication for the day and a script to be filled the next day. 

Great service!

We went for a quick coffee in Gourdon and stroll down Rue Marsis (the street where we stayed in 2012) ...

 

                  

Early afternoon we headed to the Dordogne region for our "Sunday lunch" at La Gabarre, we had hoped to sit on the terrace but the skies threatened rain...

We had a enjoyable afternoon with good company, great food and wine... 

Luckily, we had reservations as it was a full house and prospective clients were being turned away at the door.

The name of the restaurant reminded of the barge boats on the Dordogne ... Just like the ones in the movie "Chocolat" with Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche.

One day I will get my ride ...

 

Crab and shrimp cucumber starter ...

Hake, spicy tabouleh and vegetables...

Limousine filet of beef hiding underneath the Peruvian potatoes with roasted vegetables ...

Monsieur Honey said this was the "best" "most delicious" piece of beef he has ever tasted in France.

My downfall ... my sweet tooth!

We then went for a Sunday drive in the country to visit some acquaintances of the "Belgian Connection" who operate a gite / B & B business ...

The "Gite" is so unique ... it is a Tree House that is beautifully designed and decorated, secluded in the countryside with it's own terrace, courtyard and jacuzzi.

Aux Fontaines d'eyvigues located in Salignac - Eyvigues in the Dordogne region of France (about 20 minutes from Sarlat) is operated by a hard-working young couple. 

Check out their website ... Http://www.auxfontainesdeyvigues.com  ... 

for a truly unique place to stay at "la Cabane des figuiers".

Wish you all could have been here to share this delicious dessert with me!

In Amongst the Vineyards at Le Caillau

Friday we travelled to Vire sur Lot to one of our favourite restaurants "Le Caillau" set in the most idyllic surroundings ... Full of old world charm and character in the middle of the vineyards.

It is always a must on our itinerary when we travel to this area of France. 

We have enjoyed many meals here over the past three years and last year we attended a "Musical Soirée"... an evening of music, great food and wine listening to the Rogues (a Celtic group)

The fountain come garden in the Center of the courtyard ...

We enjoyed a delicious lunch with good friends ... I like to call us "The United Nations Friends" ...  us being the Canadians, our Belgian expat and English expat friends who are now living in France.

We then travelled to our English "French Connection" friends' home for a short visit ... their home is also set  in the vineyards.

Now I will put in a plug for Le Caillau ...if you are in the area you should go stop by ... whether it is  for a coffee and something sweet from the cake counter, lunch or dinner or just a glass of wine and nibbles sitting under the shade of the umbrellas in the courtyard ... Sit, relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Www.lecaillau.com