3rd to 21st August 2026 - France trip

 

Monday 3rd August Ron afternoon flight to LHR and Julie down from Wellingborough for overnight stay at the The Thistle Hotel.

  

Tuesday 4th August Early flight to Toulouse. Picked up rental car and drove to Albas. Found apartment and had to work everything out. The mains electric was off so had to find the switch in the garage etc. Later, when we realised the floor was hot, we found the switch to turn off the underfloor heating which made the place a lot cooler! Shopped at Carrefour in Prayssac. Went down for an early beer at Guinguette but found they didn't serve food till later so went back home for a snack.

Wednesday 5th August Drove to Intermarche for a small shop. Stopped off on the way back to see the bridge construction at Castelfranc. Temporary bridge in use with traffic lights. Julie had a walk in the afternoon then down to Guinguette for dinner. J. goats cheese (Cabecou de Quercy) salad and R. chicken, and a bottle of Malbec/Merlot wine.

 

Gantry for new construction	Old gantry
Guinguette Restaurant	Ron
Lovely wine	The Menu

 

Thursday 6th August Went to Catus and Lac Vert. A bit cloudy and breezy so we only had a quick dip in the lake. Had beers and chips. Returned via Carrefour for a can opener. Julie walked in the afternoon. To the square for dinner, La Promenade du Limau, but no menu so they just gave us the dish of the day: pork chops with sauteed potatoes and tomatoes.

 

Ron waiting for his Pommes Frites	Lake view

 

Friday 7th August Walk by the river and coffee at Guinguette. Beers at Belaye then dinner at home of canned duck.

 

Road down to the river	The bridge across the Lot

 

Saturday 8th August Walked to the square to see the Brocante but nothing much going on so continued walk by the river and Julie did a bit longer. Dinner at Gourmand in Prayssac. J. duck breast and R. duck confit.

 

Albas from the bridge	The river
Village entrance	View of the church

 

Sunday 9th August Drove to Puy l'Eveque. Wandered around and had beer at Chez Jeny. Julie long walk in the afternoon. Not hungry so no dinner.

 

The town across the river	Ron
From the top	Julie
Chez Jeny	The restaurant

 

Monday 10th August Padirac caves. Booked for an afternoon tour. R. took the lift and J. walked down. Short boat trip into the caves then walked round the formations. Couple of beers at the mobile truck on the way back. Duck dinner at home.

 

The White Lady Statue	Stairs and lift
Lake formations	Plate formations
White Cathedral formations	Ron The Explorer
Looking down	The sink hole

 

Tuesday 11th August Did some washing, shopped etc. Dinner at La Vigne Haute in Castelfranc for brother Phil's birthday. J. had Le menu and R. faux filet. Irish coffees to finish.

 

Le Menu	Cheers from Ron
Ron, and Julie's cheeses	Fuzzy selfie
Irish Coffees	Happy Julie

 

Wednesday 12th August Walked by the river. Julie longer one in the afternoon. Dinner at home. Very hot.

 

View of River Lot	The other way

 

Thursday 13th August Drove to Rocamadour. Parked at the top and walked down. Still very hot. Had lunch at the Lion d'Or restaurant. Short walk then got the lift back to the top.

 

Entrance to the town	View of Rocamadour

 

Friday 14th August Shopped at Carrefour. Very smoky all around but fires not too close. Walked along the river. Dinner Guinguette. J. Salad with goat's cheese (Cabecou de Quercy) and R. chicken.

 

View from the church	The river
The Weir	Peaceful surroundings

 

Saturday 15th August Drove to Luzech. Then a walk along the river on the outside of the bend. J says it was 5km and R says 8km! Lovely lunch at Uxello Restaurant, both had trout.

 

On the walk	Ron
Julie	Fun mural

 

Sunday 16th August Drove to Pech Merle caves. Followed our GPS which took us on some quite small roads. Took the tour with an English speaking guide. Very interesting as usual. No photos allowed in the caves so photos taken in the museum. Dinner at Guinguette. Both had burgers.

Ibex Paintings	The famous horses
Shows nothing changes much, new and old	Water formed 'pearls' and mammouth

 

Monday 17th August Pottered in the morning. Then drove to Catus via a quick chat with Nigel and Leslie in Le Mayne. They had only just arrived and having lunch so we only stayed for a few minutes. J had a swim. Dinner Guinguette, J. salad and R. steak.

 

Tuesday 18th August Cleaned up the apartment and then left at about 11.00. Drove to La Bastide-de-Serou on the edge of the Pyrenees. Quick picnic lunch on the way, and found the Chateau du Val Larbont where we had booked for a couple of nights. Massive place, and the owner took us to an enormous room though the bathroom was over the corridor. It was a proper chateau but pretty much rundown with only the owner to run it. He only lets out 2 rooms. Had a lovely walk around the gardens which included some massive trees and a couple of ponds, which were probably part of a moat in years gone by. Drove into the village for dinner at Snack-Bar Chez Gilbert. J. half duck breast and R. filet mignon with fresh chips. Had a stroll around the village.

 

The Chateau	Aerial view
Our enormous room	View from the window

 

Wednesday 19th August Had breakfast served by the owner which was pretty basic as he did everything himself but lovely room and surroundings served on solid silver platters. Popped into the village, small shop for carrots for the donkey, and walked around and had a couple of beers in the Cafe de la Mairie. J. walked in the afternoon. Back to Gilbert's for a repeat dinner of the night before.

 

Ron at breakfast...	...and Julie
By the pond	Friendly donkey

 

Thursday 20th August After another breakfast, this time with a Spanish guy who was the only other guest, we packed up and left at about 11.30. Drove to Toulouse and found the Holiday Inn Express and checked in. Dinner was at the other Holiday Inn next door. J. had breaded prawns and R. fish and chips.

 

Friday 21st August Breakfast in the hotel then drove to Avis to take the car back and check-in for our flight back to LHR. Picked up car at Terminal 3 and drove to Wellingborough.

 

Saturday 21st - Wednesday 26th August A few days in Wellingborough at Mum's/Molly's including lunch in Wollaston before a night in the Thistle again on the 25th and returning to Cyprus on the 26th.