loads of car booty at the local vide

cute kitty in the window

Got up nice and early today and went to a vide grenier ( which translates as open attic) at Capvern in the Baronnies it was a stunningly beautiful sunny day. The mountains were highly visible and with great clarity. The vide was good it really is like an english car boot, this is our second since we have been here, by August they are everywhere and often in a new town for us to explore. We came away with a lovely wooden trunk for shoes and an unusual pastis water jug, which matches the bottle of pastis in shape and our glasses. On the way home we decided to explore uncharted territory, Tilhouse about five minutes from Capvern. We had been told it was pretty, an artist friend of ours used to go their to draw and paint. It was very pretty, with all the cottages, houses and the church covered in slate which is very typical of that area. Slate roofs are common here because that is the local material that is found in the hills. 

the church at Tilhouse

views from Tilhouse

further down the road we found a beautiful mill  with a camping ground and lots of charted walks. In fact there were a large group enjoying lunch, in preparation for their afternoon walk. We did a recce this time as we did not have the footwear for walking. Lots of wild flowers, winding river and a beautiful day would have made a great picnic spot, we will be back. Kites and buzzards circling the mountains and a purple heron fishing in the river.

tiny sweet mountain strawberries

natural slate  found all over the hillsides

old slate roof!

The Pyrenean Shepherd is a medium-small breed of dog native to the Pyrenees mountains in southern France and northern Spain, bred since at least medieval times for herding livestock, especially sheep. It worked as an active herder together with the Great Pyrenees, another mountain dog, which acted as the flock's guardian.

wild columbine

later that evening we were still enjoying wine sunshine cheese and strawberries (not the wild variety) at nine in the evening!

Had a great week, we could do with a little less rain though, otherwise i will never finish my vegetable patch. We have also met a very nice lady called Liz she is trying to catch us a sauvage ginger kitten, unfortunately he keeps escaping, I will keep you posted on that one. Watch out Hunca Munca, the mice from Beatrix Potters 'the tales of two bad mice' - they are quite cute actually. (sorry P they really were scampering through our lounge!)