9th to 30th August 2025 - France trip

 

Saturday 9th August Late afternoon flight to LHR and overnight stay at the The Thistle Hotel.

  

Sunday 10th August Early flight to Toulouse. This flight turned out to be on time even though it was advertising a 13 hour delay at one point! Picked up rental car and drove to Le Mayne.

 

Monday 11th August After breakfast we went to 'Lac Vert de Catus'. A small recreational lake at Catus. Finding a shady spot under the trees as the temperature had risen to 40 degrees C in the afternoon, we had some beers, chips and had a swim. Later we went in to Castelfranc to La Vigne Haute restaurant for Phil's 70th birthday dinner. Back to the Crystal Pig for a nightcap or two.

 

La Vigne Haute Restaurant	Le Menu

 

Tuesday 12th August P, A and J walked up to the Dolmen, the other side of Castelfranc.

 

Hiking paths	Lovely walking paths
A Dolmen	Medieval dwelling
P and J	Temporary bridge work over the Lot

 

Wednesday 13th August We moved out of the house and went to our Airbnb in Albas. Turned out a nice, well equipped, apartment with a patio out front and back. Did a large shop at Carrefour in Prayssac.

 

Our Airbnb	Evening drinks

 

Thursday 14th August Stroll along the river Lot. Back to P and A's later for dinner and to watch the firework show on Castelfranc bridge. Instead of going into town we just sat in their back garden to watch them otherwise it would have been a very very late night.

 

View to the bridge	Lovely paths
Looking towards Albas	River view

Fireworks	...more
...more	...finale

 

Friday 15th August Back to Albas.

 

Back of the house...	...and The Crystal Pig

 

Saturday 16th August A lovely walk up the hill from our Airbnb, along some small roads and back to the village. A well deserved beer at La Guinguette.

 

Monument plus Julie at the top	View of Albas church

 

Sunday 17th August Another walk and then P and A came over and we all went to La Guinguette for lunch.

 

Grey Heron	Booted Eagle
The restaurant	Logo

 

Monday 18th August J found a nice walk, up a track at the back of the apartment, to the view point and then down to La Riviere Haute, through Cambou to the river and back.

 

View of the Lot...	...and the other way

 

Tuesday 19th August Padirac Caves. Lots of people here but fortunately we had booked a slot. Down the lift and then some stairs to the bottom of the sink hole where we took a boat through the caves. Lovely structures and history. Stopped for a beer on the way home at a mobile kiosk.

 

Cavern above the river	Water pools
Goes on for miles...	... with more structures
Different stalagmites	Cathrdral structures
The lift and stair complex	The White Lady statue

 

Wednesday 20th August J, P and A walked from the house up to Belaye, about 6km where Ron joined us for drinks and dinner at Le Couvent. There was rain about so we ate inside and then outside to finish our drinks.

 

Outside in the rain

 

Thursday 21st August Drive to Puy-l Eveque where we had a stroll around and then a light lunch at Jeny's Restaurant. In the evening back to Le Mayne and drinks and snacks in the Crystal Pig with neighbour, Nigel and his two brothers, Ray and Mark. Stayed overnight again.

 

Small streets	Umbrella road
Taking pictures	Picturesque village
Outdoor dining...	...at Chez Jeny

 

Friday 22nd August Another lovely walk.

 

Saturday 23rd August P and A picked us up and we went to Luzech. Then a walk along the river and then up into the hills above the town. To Site archeologique de l'impernal, medieval ruins and lovely views though Ron didn't enjoy the walk down! Lovely lunch at Uxello Restaurant. Back to Albas and a beer in the square at Le Promenade du Limau.

 

Information board	View of the Lot
Remains of house...	...and temple

 

Sunday 24th August Quiet day with J going for a walk in the afternoon. R joined her for a beer at La Guinguette. Lots of English people there as there was a wedding on and the guests were there for refreshments.

 

Monday 25th August Walk around Albas. Due to the decline in sales of the local Red wine (Malbec) some of the fields have been dug up and will be replanted with kiwi fruit etc.

 

View towards the bridge	Julie
Grape vine field being repurposed	Old vines

 

Tuesday 26th August Cougnac caves. Lovely stalactites and stalagmites and cave paintings. Interesting guide explaining these.

 

Magical scenery	Information board

 

Wednesday 27th August Moved out of our Airbnb and drove to Rocamadour. Too early to check-in so went for a beer, then took the lift to the top and walked back. Checked-in to Du Lion d'Or Hotel. Small room but adequate. Had the fixed menu at their restaurant in the evening.

 

View of Rocamadour...	...from the top road

 

Thursday 28th August Back for breakfast in the morning. Had a wander around then drove up to the bird park: Les Rocher des Aigles for the show. Amazing display and always nice to see them just let the condors and vultures free to soar way up in the sky. Rained on and off during the day. Back to the hotel restaurant for dinner.

 

Andean Condor	Closer look
Condor and Vultures	Bateleur Eagle
African Fish Eagle	Green Parrots
Parrots and Scarlet Macaws	King Vulture

 

Friday 29th August Breakfast at the restaurant. Packed up and drove down to Toulouse and the Holiday Inn Express at the airport. Decided to just keep the car and drop it off the next day at the airport. No restaurant in the hotel so found one nearby, the Brasserie l'Helice. Ron had steak which was undercooked and inedible so they gave us free desserts.

 

Early morning with no tourists.	Main street

 

Saturday 30th August Flew to LHR, picked up car then drove to Wellingborough. Spent the week there before going down to the Thistle on Sunday 7th for our flight to Jamaica on the 8th September.