Troglodytes and Heights

Troglodytes and heights

It is our last full day with Emma in tow so we decide to do a bigger trip than usual. However, before we start, we do need clean clothes. One of the problems with our abode is that there is no clothes washing facilities. Weird as it has a fridge, dishwasher, separate freezer and everything else but no clothes washer.

So we start with a trip into St Foy-l-g to a coin, and thankfully note, operated laundromat. We meet a couple of very helpful ladies and together we work out how to use the machines. While the tumbles tumble, Kris scouts the local Boulangerie and buys some superb bread and pain au chocolat. The washing is soon over and off we go on our big trip. We are headed to La Roque Gageac, a small town stapled on the cliff side of the upper Dordogne. We travel through small towns and hamlets before heading up into the wooded hills (for a lovely change of scenery from the verdant vineyards and fields of browned sun flowers). Eventually we arrive at the very pretty, very touristy but beautiful all the same wee town We do the Kiwi thing and spread the picnic rug on the grass in the car park and chug down on foie gras, cheese, baguettes,) seems to be a recurring theme here.

Following lunch we walk along the banks of the river before ascending up through the tiny alley ways within the village. Of course, after such a walk, a man is in need of fluid replacement, The French have this weird thing where they think that 250mls equals a serving of beer. There is no 330ml serving. Thankfully there is such a thing as a grande!! 500mls of cold clear beer. Didn’t touch the sides. Em had her traditional lemonade, and Kris a jus tomate. John even managed to wish the waiter “good health” which was reciprocated.

View from Domme

We decide to continue the tiki and head further up the river. Kris has spotted a cliff top township ahead so off and up we go. What an amazing find. The town, called Domme, sits on a rocky outpost of the river edge with a view to die for over the river valley below. Of course, it’s not just a dead battery now, John has forgotten to bring the camera itself. So we are once again trusting to our cell phone apparatus. After a refreshing glace at the top, it is time to head home. TomTom does some interesting things on this trip including a true goat track (which we decline) and a road blocked at one end that he tries to get us to drive down. I can imagine the Yanks still trying to get over the mound in the road!

John has managed to book a table at our local restaurant, Le Gensac. This looks to be a huge improvement on our original Gensac restaurant. John had boasted about how easy it was for him to go into the restaurant and book a table for three for “demain soir”. Easy peesy. Imagine his chagrin that on entering the restaurant for the meal, he finds the lovely lady who took his booking speaking fluent English with an Irish accent!!!

Anyway, the meal was gorgeous, taken on the back terrace of the restaurant, and washed down with a lovely local red, “Clos Dominique” coming in at a healthy 15% alcohol.

A quick drive home and tucked up in bed again.