Cheers from Cahors

Saturday, 20th August 2016/ Sunday, 21st August 2016

This afternoon we said our "bientôts" to Laury and headed to our rented "pied à terre" for the next week in the historic centre of Cahors.  

We settled in quickly and we were very pleased with the accommodation plus the location which was very close/ central to many shoppes, cafés, restaurants and the Market square .. and eureka we were lucky in finding a parking spot just a few doors from our apartment (no cars allowed on our street).

Our week in Cahors was chosen as a central location to meet up with friends in the Lot Valley plus see a bit more of this lovely town. We've visited here before but only for a quick pop in a for a couple hours/ half day during our other adventures to France. 

Cahors sits in a loop of the Lot River surrounded on three sides. It is famous for its' deep red wines, known as AOC "black" wine - Malbec. 

This pic was taken on other trip from high above. 

The historic centre is dominated by the Saint Etienne Catherdal (Gothic & Romanesque architecture) with it's large domes and century old frescoes. 

It has narrow alleyways and half timbered houses. 

There are two Markets each week on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. 

And you know we definitely had a day out at the Wednesday market ... I'll be sharing that story in another post. 

                 

We did not have any ambitious plans to do a lot of touristy activities for this week. 

We just wanted to unwind and enjoy the local atmosphere, café sitting and people watching plus visit with some friends. 

Sunday we just wandered the streets having a lazy day on a very hot day.

A surprise ... wisteria blooming in late August!

On our stroll we discovered some beautiful gardens and parks ....

         

And then it was time for a cool refreshment and some café relaxing .... before we head home for our dinner in the courtyard. 

                             "Santé" ... "Cheers!"

                     

Moon River in the Lot

Friday, 19th August 2016 

What a surprise on our first morning in France, our friend Laury serenaded us with "Moon River" played on her piano affectionately called "Monsieur Winkelman".

We planned an easy day as Miss Laury was hosting an apero party this evening. 

First on the to do list was a trip to the supermarket in Cajarc for a pickup of nibbles, wine and a stock up of heavier/bulkier supplies for Laury. 

Then we paused for a coffee at La Pause and make a reservation for lunch, back to the Chatette in Cadrieau to unload the shopping and we were off on guided tour of a couple local sites.

First a drive to the other side of the Lot River in the Aveyron, from here we viewed Laury's home in Cadrieau with the ruined Chateau looming overhead. 

From here we drove high above to a special spot ... Croix des Belges (The Belgian Cross) near Saujac in the Aveyron for some beautiful panoramic views of the valley and Lot River below. 

                                    

                      

There is a story about the Belgian Cross and I did ask some of the guests at Laury's soirée but now I can't remember all the details   ... can't find info on the Internet, hopefully, it will come back to me.

Next stop to view such a beautiful site in nature ... the Gouffre de Lantouy, Salvagnac-Cajarc, a natural mineral water spring.       

We enjoyed our first, delicious alfresco lunch at La Pause in Cajarc, then it was back for a little siesta before getting ready for tonight's apero party. 

Between the three of us we quickly had the terrace all set up pretty with some fine linen dressed tables, chairs scattered here and there for Laury's guests arrival at 7PM. 

We met some wonderful people this evening all local friends, neighbours that live in the village ... 

all from many different walks of life and speaking many different languages, English, French, Dutch, German. 

Tonight I let my inhibitions disappear and spoke French to the best of my ability and it was felt so good and I was able to actually have a conversation with Laury's French friends. 

There was plenty of different delicious foods ... "sausiccon sec, fromages, baguettes, crevettes" and so much more plus Jean's homemade sausage rolls (a favourite of Monsieur Honey so the recipe was requested), Annemarie's gluten free brownies so delicious, plus many different wines and other beverages. 

          

  

All the windows and doors were flung wide open with magical lights flickering throughout the Chatette.

                   

Merci Laury to you and your friends for a beautiful evening of great company, fine wine and nibbles! 

Writing Postcards from the Lot

Dear Blog, 

I'm back in France, back in the Vallée du Lot where the magnificent Lot River is never far.

We are spending our first week or so in this region catching up with friends and living a bit of the French life in the city of Cahors before we move on to the deep south of France in the Pyrennes d' Orientale. 

For some reason the jet lag has taken it's toll this trip, plus the Summer heat is very hot! 

I'll be back soon hopefully with my daily postcards!