Relaxing doesnt get better than this....

Monday 2 September
We had arrived and for that we were grateful. Our ‘Maison de boulangerie dans  le hameau d' Auriac ‘ – that’s a bakers cottage in the Hamlet of Auriac, is  the quintessential French Cottage in the country. It is on three levels, one enters at the front door to a small hallway with le bain and le toilette, one of two all up, neatly packaged under the stairs which head to the attic bedrooms, one double room and one with 4 single beds for the children with tiny gable windows to provide light and ventilation. To the right of the quaint front door is another set of stairs that lead to the main bedroom, more little gable windows and a discreet shower and basin (a la an ensuite) behind a screen printed curtain. Chef Roger focused all his attention on the very small dimly lit, low ceiling and large dark beams, kitchen. A small built in tiled table and bench seats with lift up lids, completed the picture. Apart from the lack of sharp knives he was happy and could manage, even with only a toaster type oven for serious cooking. At least there was a full size fridge to keep the beer cold. And finally on the lower level was a dining room and small lounge area also opening onto the large rambling garden. A stunning large pool completed the picture outside alongside the outdoor table setting and designer style wood fired BBQ. Walls 1 metre thick kept the hot midday sun at bay, and Wi-Fi is limited to the lanai overlooking the pool but hey, there's no mistaking the countryside we’re in and we are as far from the madding tourists as one could be.

There was absolutely no need to travel far today so instead a lazy day of unpacking, staking our territory and eventually a small explore of the nearby town of Lalinde was more than enough of an adventure. We discovered the local market square where we had a cooling beverage and a couple of croque madames for lunch and had a slow amble around the tiny town before collecting some serious supplies at the local Intermarche just on the outskirts of town. Back at our farmhouse it was now gin and tonic time so we partook by the swimming pool in 32 degrees and Flashman bravely entered the 26 degree water. Pussies I know, but our thin tropical blood is only just starting to thicken. A home cooked warm beef salad and a Dordogne red saw Lady P to bed early while Flashy tried to follow a French movie on TV. He made it to 10 pm a little confused. He has been a little confused a lot on this trip, but reckons he now knows where north is.