The Duo en France

ON MAy 13 Paulie and Stephen headed to St Antonin after being away for 8 months. It was time to get La cachette ready for summer rentals and to catch up with folks. This time we hosted James and Keno for 4 nights and Shari and Claudia came across on their firts big European adventure. Great fun! We got to attend a hunter's feast once more ( this time the number of hunting horn players grew), made some nice day trips, and caught up with pals.

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May 13 - a  quick chill in the Sydney Business lounge before24 + hours in economy seats On arrival at Heathrow they realised they booked the Heathrow - Toulouse flight for the day before! So on a bus  to Gatwick... : Stephen Atherton ... where the breakfast of champions helps ease the pain of buying extra tickets : Pauline Turnbull On arrival at La Cachette, son of Milly meets Paulie
After a late first night (drinks at La Halle) it's straight to the shops on a misty morning... ... and then to work Mixed with some socialising Michael & Storm are ready for another busy season : Michael Docherty
2 days in it's time for  exercise to be added to the daily regime Through familiar and much loved fields . Like mother, like son
17th May - Stephen collects James from the airport and Keno from a train (from a Bordeaux conference) The lads reacquaint themselves with the village . .
This trio brightens up the garden As do some Bunnings Fairy Lights Time to head to the hills .
. where boys will be boys . Spring has certainly sprung
. A trip to Penne . 19th - Shari and Claudie arrive from Paris
John Evans drops in to talk about the garden . . : Claudia Blanch, James Atherton, Pauline Turnbull, Keno Up the La Corniche road towards Penne
. . . .
A favourite pad for James Then to Bruniquel : Pauline Turnbull 3 generations of Turnbull descendants : Claudia Blanch, Shari Dunlop Blanch, Pauline Turnbull .
. The La Cachette owners take a break ? : Keno .
. . . And back to dinner with teh family and ami Yolande : Claudia Blanch, James Atherton, Pauline Turnbull, Keno
. : Claudia Blanch, Shari Dunlop Blanch On a cool night the sun sets Cool enough for a fire May 21 - Sunday markets : Claudia Blanch, Shari Dunlop Blanch
. : Claudia Blanch, Shari Dunlop Blanch Clearly the 2CV Club is in town And time for the lads to train back to England : James Atherton .
After dropping the lads, Paulie & Stephen head to Larroque for La Chasse (hunters) lunch . To meet old friends And eat whatever was recently shot :-(
After a long lunch Paulie drives the gals up to the cliffs. : Claudia Blanch And Stephen cycles up to catch the view Next day is the bespoke tour of Corde . : Shari Dunlop Blanch
. . : Stephen Atherton Followed by Albi : Pauline Turnbull . : Shari Dunlop Blanch
. And a drink back home 22 May- Introducing Shari to a city bike- a little heavier than her road bike : Stephen Atherton, Shari Dunlop Blanch 24 May lunch : Claudia Blanch, Pauline Turnbull
.. and then a dinner with Simon and Linda and to finally meet o  Lilly who cleans our pad when rented IMG 3255 . Up the mountain for a walk with Shari
And then Paulie & Stephen had a pedal . . .
. . Light aircraft fly-boys have fun through the gorges Off to an art co-op opening and then dinner and Michael and Storm's
. . . 26 May - An early pedal for Stephen and Shari
Followed by Stephen heading out for a last time with Paulie Before heading on the long trip home. Leaving Paulie for another busy week at La Cachette