Dad rang, and much to my pleasant surprise said he was going to visit us again this year, this time without Shona, space wise this meant he could stay with us at the house. They had come in late April and stayed at Cathe's a few minutes down the road, and we had a very enjoyable time.
 |
| some beau fleurs from Suzanne at Trie marche for dad's arrival |
We picked dad up on Monday 24th of October with fairly ominous clouds and thunderstorms towards Toulouse, on the horizon. Indeed a whole week before, we were told by Meteo it was not conducive to a sunny weeks holidays in the South-West France...but we are nearly into November, might have to take your chances.
Good timing from both of us, dad had just arrived with baggage in the hall and with a fast-ish exit to the car park we did not need to pay for the stay. Mark drove us home safely to Castelnau where dad was able to unwind and unpack, although the flights were at civilised hours travelling can take it out of anyone, no matter what age you are. We had organised some cold meats selected from the market on Saturday, with salad and cheese as i did not know what time we might get back from the airport. Propped up by beautiful cakes for desserts, Ali's cake making. That morning we had had coffee and cakes with Ali, Chris and the girls and knowing that dad was arriving she had given us a huge generous doggy bag to go home with!
Tuesday we had a relaxed day to acclimatise, i think dad was whacked, Mark went to do his bloods in Lannemezan and dad and i took Milou for a walk locally. A little chilly and a tad misty.
Wednesday morning was a choice between Montauban and Pau, Montauban is about fifty minutes further, a full day job so we settled on Pau. Good choice as although we have been to Pau on a couple of occasions it has otherwise been on airport runs and now the newly renovated chateau is open to all....Shame it was still misty but a tad warmer, because we would have spectacular views of the mountains from the ramparts. Anyway we arrived at the railway station not really knowing where it was, it turned out to be ideal as the old funicular railway was all of ten metres away and it took you to the top where the castle was. I have only been on one other in Barcelona, a cable railway for steep slopes, apparently there is one in Bournemouth? The architecture and Pau were not disappointing at all despite the still misty haze in the afternoon. The castle was beautiful and well worth a trip at seven euros an entry. Mark wanted to do his own guided tour, alas only guided by a knowledgeable lady in the know, but good for our french and even managed to pick up an interesting nugget or too...despite having most of it on an a4 sheet in front of us in English. The tour took around ninety minutes, it has been well preserved and there is plenty to see. If you are further interested in wall hangings or silk tapestries these are probably the best i have ever seen. For further information, one of many, on this beautiful place see the link
some brief facts about the chateau
 |
| surrounds of Pau near to the castle |
 |
| magnificent church |
 |
| need to explore more....great architecture |
 |
| inner courtyard of the chateau |
Thursday morning, still a bit grimy, Milou and i walked with Taj and Jan as they could not make our usual walk and talk on a Friday. The afternoon significantly cheered up for our walk around Puydarrieux in search of bird life and of course the Grus, five o'clock seemed to be optimal landing time.
By Friday the weather was really starting to improve, i am saying this for dads sake of course, no one wants to come on holiday and the weather to be miserable for your entire stay. We went to the market in Seissan for a change and bumped into a few familiar subjects. Bought some olives, tresses of garlic and a few other bits and bobs and so did dad. On the way back we walked Milou in Masseube in the park by the river. Tonight we are all invited to join Chris Cook and Tony and Penny Clark for supper at Chris's. Nice meal convivial company, Chris had gone to a lot of effort to cook for the six of us.
Saturday, being a creature of habits i needed some of my own market kicks so i took dad around ours and introduced and re-introduced him to some familiar faces. We had an afternoon stroll with Milou up on the ridge, weather is sunny and warm now. Saturday evening Mark and I were invited to a b'day bash, dad was invited too, but i think tired from being dragged around the market by his ear he declined in favour of looking after les chats et la chienne?! We had a nice time new people, came home fairly late.
Dad said perhaps we should go out for a meal today, where to we thinks, there are quite a few really good restaurants around here....but A) you have to know them and B) with anything rural you just might have to travel a bit further and under your own steam. A fair few were shut having a week of, school holidays or recovering from the summer. However we did manage to book L'Embrun in Lannemezan, for lunch, wow how is it that we have never discovered this one before, absolutely amazing a real gem and right on our doorstep. Dad said it was one of the best meals he had had in sometime, something of a winner i would say. Later on we could only manage a very small cheeseboard!
lovely meal
 |
| mise en bouche |
Monday the weather continued to be beau, twenty three degrees, we all decided great for an end of year picnic. So we packed us up and some food and headed for Bagneres for picnic and drawing, but ended up stopping in Mauvezin at our fave spot in front of the castle taking in the sunshine and the magnificent scenery, really is pretty. Left dad to draw the castle while we took Milou for a walk, then we all had our picnic lunch. After that we moved to one our other favourite spots the little chapel in front of the Baronnies just before Bagneres for a final draw! dad packed, not sure how he is going to pack all the coffee in!
 |
first jerusalem artichokes from the garden, love them
On my own i did a nice sunset walk with Milou, up over the mound, beau views from the top, just a thirty minute circuit to watch the sun go down, it was just such a beautiful day.
|
 |
| memorial to the french lost on the war |
 |
| stunning views and sunset |
Tuesday, Sadly, dad's final day of the stay having packed and ready for the off we did a walk along what we call the ridge from Larroque it is till quite high up with views of Castelnau and the lake. After a quick lunch it was off to the airport, dropping dad at three, having waved him off he rang at 7.50, 8.50 our time to a cold wet uk and one very pleased cat!
 |
| Marc, dad and Milou for a last photo call of the holiday |
 |
| dad and Marc walking the ridge |
