From Clisson, we journey due south and spend a brief time
in Niort where we visited some dear friends of ours. Jean Pouit and his wife Micheline were delighted to see us, as we were them.
Sadly, Jean has since died.
The early morning rain had passed, but black clouds were
around us still as we approached junction 38 on the autoroute north of
Bordeaux. Shelagh and John Perret had taken the bold decision to quit their
jobs in the UK in late 2003 and up sticks to live in La France. Here they
were near the village of Marcillac in the rolling countryside of the
Gironde.
And here is chez them: an attractive and spacious modern
house with a couple of hectares of garden and lake. Yes, lake. Oh, and a
stream!
Seen from a different direction through
vineyards. Well, this is Bordeaux country.
The pastis is out; time for a leisurely aperitif.
The following morning Jean and I indulge in our favourite
pastime: cycling along empty French roads in warm sunshine.
We had a few quizzical looks from the
locals.
There must be a Noah's Ark comment that could be made
here...
Lots of lakes hereabouts.
And some fine classical houses.
the odd reptile...
...and some interesting birds: these are
Hoopoe's.
Shelagh feeds her neighbours horse. The brown one is a
mule which is the sterile result of a male Ass and a female horse. So there!
John takes advantage of his lake and a
powerful pump to water the garden.
Old Sol hits the deck again
A day trip to Bordeaux was on our itinerary
for the next day
