Down south.

We took the toll free option on the drive down to the Northern Dordogne, 360 miles in 7 hours plus stops, the route avoiding motorways would have been too long in miles and time. The journey was a real learning experience especially understanding the French roundabout etiquette and finding out how far above the displayed speed limit you are expected to drive this is judged by how close the truck behind is to you boot.

The further south we came the more raptors I noticed and at one point I was fascinated by what I thought was a large hawk seemingly dancing on the wind, I then realised that it was a hawk shaped kite that an enterprising farmer had employed as a flying scarecrow.

I hit the supermarket en route and after unpacking the car I had a charcuterie salad with French bread and Bordeaux Rose on my gite patio in the sun, absolute bliss after the long drive and it was topped of by the sunset. My accommodation has one large lounge with a double bed in one corner and a separate kitchen and bathroom but most of my time here is spent outside.

I am staying in Mialet for four days before moving 10kms east to Saint Priest de Fougeres. Yesterday we went to the market in Perigueux, I just love all the misshapen but unbelievably tasty fruit and veg and I bought my first ever Madeleines for an afternoon coffee break, glad I bought two, one is not enough! After some more exploring and lunch I spent the afternoon planning all the places I want to visit etc before having a re-run of the previous evening on the patio but this time with Souvlaki.

I could get used to this lifestyle.