Ian here.
The last few weeks in France have been such a contrast to the first month in Turkey. There we were all about being tourists and seeing all the sights. Here it has been more staying put in a peaceful countryside setting - and letting the tourists come to us!
 |
| Anti clockwise from the right, Ian, Jane, Tom, Jan, Loren, Larry. Alix took the picture! |
We have enjoyed the Aussi contingent and the UK family, and now we have the USA team over from Florida. Photo show us at (yet another!) wonderful meal at a great restaurant in Bergerac. Alix and Larry have come over from Florida, and Jan and Loren are friends from Canada who now live up the road in France. And Tom has flown in from Aussi for the celebrations, thanks!
And all the time Jane's 60th birthday is celebrated with good food and wine and tales from the past and talking about plans for the future, particularly for all the cousins who are now in their 20's and some in early thirties. The older generation, (that's me and Jane) bemoan the lack of weddings and grandchildren, and the nephews and nieces smile and change the subject, to the next job or last promotion or good holiday.
 |
| Tiny, tiny bowl of soup! |
We have ventured into some more Grottes and seen more prehistoric art from 25,000BC this time, as well as looked around some so, so, pretty French villages such as Beynac. Had another great meal here, see soup photos.....
 |
| St Cirq La Popie. Picture perfect, perched above the Garonne River. I'm going to make this into a jigsaw! |
Harvest time has started, and the sunflowers in the fields look quite fabulous. Wimbledon is on the TV, the nearest winery is 2km walk away and the temperature is warming up finally, 28C today perhaps 35C but NO HUMIDITY, on Monday. And the pool is more inviting each day.
 |
| A gate to the medieval city in Bordeaux. |
Jane has had two birthday meals so far with one more to come, and we are all looking a little more plump than when we arrived, but we have the rigours of Russian cooking to come so we have to prepare ourselves.
Son Tom has been here too which is great, although Simon and Robin could not make this trip.
May add some more photos soon.
 |
| Bordeaux Place in the mirror pond - invert to see right way up. |
