Limousin, The Dordogne and Quercy.

Sampling the pleasures of this region is best done with a really good group of colourful people and a truckload of kids. Well, I found just the group. I have been to ancient prehistoric parks and walked along the lanes and sideroads of this fascinatin area of real france (atleast "the lonely planet" says so!) Each morning has been wonderful. As I rise at 8.30, the mist/fog lifts about 10.30 or 11am and the walk through the country lanes, past the picturesque farmhouses smacks of the cliche. Im happy! There is a 1.5 km walk to town that is finished with a cafe au lait and a hot croissant in the local Pub! Australia should be so good. Could change the way we look at pubs!
Touring around with the Brothers Warner and clan has been great- the chatueaux and the towns are all spectacular and arresting (and we often arrest with a ice cold Amstill beer as well). Chateau Des Milandes (with the memorial to josephine baker), Martel (our local internet site that doesnt work),Buealieu-sur -Dordogne, Collenges-la-rouge,Turenne, CastelnauSarlat, la rogue gagaec, Cahors, Rocamadour and every other fun spot pales into insignificance when one has a fishing rod and a good bag of worms.

We are on the banks of the dordonge behind the rugby ground at Vayrac. the pleasures are simple - grass to the river edge, river with water in it and flowing, no ants in the grass to bite your butt. The river is totally unpopulated by anyone except the local elder out for a walk. You can see the fish(salmon and trout) that wont bite the hook. this spot is truly deep france with the limestone cliffs and the small stone and adobe cottages dotted on the green hillsides. the full day in the sun, quite a few pages turned and the beer nearly gone have a bunch of deranged kids (what adults!)busting for a BBQ. in typical australian fashion we have decended on the "Shopi" our local supermarket and bought steaks, Duck Magrets, tomatoes and green and white beans- with Apple flognardes for dessert of course. Le Duc rocks with the local rouge flowing as well. Does Phil Warner really have the old bullet wound from the spanish police, is there a train wreck adn a love affaire in Egypt we only sense in his history?
Each day here is a pleasure and the Warners have adapted complety. Simon and Nick, David and Maggie are off to the Rugby semis in Paris and to cheer loudly for the French (sorry to all those Poms reading this). The Tribe Philip are of to see the pyrenees and have kindly offered me a place in the back of the van. What a treat! Phil is a true world adventurer. Kylie and he have some amazing ability to travel everywhere with clancy 2 yrs and loving it, Mad willi 5 yrs, Hollie the red-haired beauty 9 yrs, and georgia the dignified 12 yrs, aroung the world and still talk to each other. it is quite a differnt expereince to have these guys as my travell companions. let the next adventure begin.
LOL
Kimb