Dordogne in April

We looked at our calendar and found a week without meetings, then at the weather forecast which showed no rain, so we headed to the Dordogne with the caravan and two bikes.  Chris had six places to visit so we parked the caravan on a small quiet pristine (even had heated shower block) site near Perigueux for a couple of nights.  Chris cycled to Hautefort (and back) while Judy went for a walk.  Next day we went to Brantome, pretty little place built on an island.  Had a great lunch overlooking the abbey then on to Bourdeilles another medieval village which we thought even prettier!  Finally back to the city of Perigueux so see the bizarre byzantine-style cathedral and to wander the streets - much nicer than we had thought! Well worth a visit.

 

 

 

We moved the caravan to Le Buisson de Cadouin (not such a pristine site) to save lots of kilometers on the bike.  Chris cycled off to Monpazier, a medieval bastide where the entrances to the square are still too small for cars to enter. The next day we'd booked tickets to see the cave paintings at the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume, one of few caves where you can actully see the real things, incredible that they've lasted 12 -15,000 years - amazing but no photos allowed.  Had picnic lunch at a chateau, once owned by Josephine Baker.  It was really a shrine to her life stocked full of memorabilia.  Very interesting.  The afternoon we cycled to Dome, yet another medieval village of which the Dordogne is well stocked!  

 

 

 

 

And finally to Monbazillac, famous for its wines, but nice though the chateau was, the village wasn't that interesting! 

Lovely few days in beautiful countryside and round every corner another chateau or even two.

 

 

Pays Basque at the end of March

We found a week with nothing special on the calendar and the weather forecast was good for northern Spain.  Booked an AirBnB in a small town called Zumarraga in the beautiful Basque country which was great, comfortable, well equipped and a bar on the ground floor!  The bonus was that it was only 3.5 hours from home.

The walking was spectacular but was it steep!!!  Took us 5 hours to do 8 miles with appropriate stops of course.

 

 

 and yes, we did see a real eagle.

J found a nice river valley which led to the beach so cycled there, had lunch and passed a very pleasant afternoon on the sand in 29 degree sun.  C obviously cycled further!

 

 

and an easier walk the fourth day.

 

 

 Last day was cloudy but found another nice cycle route to finish the short break before stocking up on cheap Spanish booze.  May well go again!

Have started watching "Race across the world" and are getting itchy feet!