August 2024

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2nd - Olivia is up nice and early at her houseshare Ex-housemate and pal Diana deserves to celebrate. She's passed part 2, and is accepted into the R.A.C.P. neurology programme . Toughing it out in the hills. .
3rd - Paulie heads for the Tarn et Garonne Hills. And over what was once a vehicle road 5 years ago. Mother nature moves quickly to reclaim her turf Some turf has fallen away which is why the Tarn et Garonne Department of works have written off the road. With Belgian renters at the Duo's house for a month, pal Storm has offered her room at Porte Bleue. But the guys miss a garden so Yolande offered her farm up for the camping couple.
. 4th - a drive back to Saint A. for the yearly farmer's fête des battages. Some working horses arrive first. They will work some of the ancient machines. The gig focusses on l'ancienne skills and ways The parade in is led by Madame Veronique Vache . And followed by a wonderful parade of old machines and proud farming families
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. . They set up in two areas. One on Place de Pradel across the road from Paulie & Stephen's One in Place de la Condamine. That's La Cachette on the left with the door open.
. Even les flics (the cops) are keen to see how agricultural magic was and in some cases, still is, performed. . August is of course school vacation. The traffic (and car parking) is crazy. Here parked cars go back a kilometre outside of the village
But for these few days, the guys escape all of that camping at Yolande's rural retreat. . . And the orchard even offers some treats
5th - it's back down from the farm on the plateau to Saint Antonin. Lovely views . 6th - off to Nérac in Nouvelle-Aquitaine to visit a pal of Paulie's who she hasn't seen in decades (they studied post-grad journalism). Jane Tolerton is working on her new book on the New Zealand suffrage movement (NZ was the first country to give women the vote). She is based in a lovely writer's retreat
. Then it's off to a campsite through the sunflowers at nearby Moncrabeau After setting up, some friends arrived. They got very comfortable...
...indeed so much so that they fell asleep 7th - first up on the campsite. Coffee made and ready to check out the region. Back to Nérac to explore the town Pretty enough (although the heat seems to promote algae growth in the Petite Baise)
The remains of the castle of the future king of France- Henri IV. . Then Paulie and Stephen headed to Condom for lunch. In the background the cathedral. The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Condom. One of the last French Gothic style churches erected 1506-1531.
Stephen couldn't help himself... ...and with some editing made himself the 5th Musketeer. That started an exchange with Paulie's niece Kirsten as Stephen continued to wield his sword to deliver justice and protect the French crown and people. Back for another night at the camping grounds.
8th - Heading home the guys stop off at Agen. (Agen) Cathédrale Saint-Caprais - entrée Place du Maréchal Foch The 12 century Cathédrale Saint-Caprais d'Agen. A side note- Stephen texted brother Chris outside shots of cathedrals visited and within seconds he recognised which cathedral it was and returned details on the architecture. Knows his stuff! 9th - The guys are back in Saint Antonin (c/ gracious host Michael and Storm). A cycle up the mountain is in order And through the forest and the much loved path near Grotte du Bosc
. Rewarded with a tasting of the 3 rosés offered at one of the cafes. . Followed by a catch up with the cafe owner's Mum and friends
12th - Home for a week, so Michael came over for a drink in the garden 13th - Olivia met long-time pal Michelle in Sydney and they headed off to Rarotonga. Olivia returned in time for her property purchase to settle on the 22nd. . .
. The gals have entered the depths before. We think their last dive together was in the Phillipines (see "AthoAlbum" March 2019) . Jan & Jim Dunlop are also enjoy the salt air. In the Whitsundays.
15th- Paulie heard engines roaring in the village. It was time for the Course de Côte de Saint Antonin Noble Val. Some cars were made for speed. Some rally cars and normal cars also had a chance to do the hill climb. So Paulie threw on her racing leathers and helmet and joined Jean Pierre (or did she?) 17th - the guys cleaned after the one month guests left and prepared for the next group.
. In Cairns Nick has moved into a new flat. Nick spent some time working as a host/MC to trivia nights and also poker (which he knows nothing about). Happy winners this evening. Nick decided to look for more suitable work. Nick told Stephen that he found a good deal of meaning in this poem. Stephen believes that Nick has turned his page to chapter 5.
The Oxford lads flew out of Heathrow on the 16th the were in Bangkok between the 18th and 22nd James was last in Thailand in 2005 with the Oldies and Olivia. (see September 2005 in "Athoalbum") . .
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. 18th - With new guests renting their pad, the guys go camping in the Gironde region. First stop is Rauzan en route to the Atlantic Pondering what those ruins are... ...behind the camp ground
Built by John Lackland, Duke of Normandy (1199-1204), Duke of Guyenne (1199-1216) and King of England 1199-1216. Certainly hard to breach. It was attacked twice by the French during the 100 Year War. At the end of the war in the 1400s Bernard Angevin turned sides and it became French and evolved into a residential château but fell ruin in the 1600s under 1st Duke of Duras (we think) . .
. . Time to climb the tower Somewhat rare- carved handrails.
Lovely view shows how close the camping ground is to the chateau. 19th - A walk around the town . And then in the car and off to Saint Emilion
They had been before in a much quieter period with Yolande (See January 2019 in "AthoAlbum") A lunch before exploring more. . .
. . . Nick Traynor came from Bordeaux to join us for dinner, walking though the chateau grounds to Rauzan.
Wonderful timing - a Fête in the village with music, wine, and food trucks So over a somehwat authentic meal from the Thai food truck, the guys enjoy the music, catch up, and meet an interesting German couple 20th - The duo head to camp close to the Arcachon Basin on the Atlantic 20th - ‎First stop is Lake Lacanau. It is still school holidays so the lake beach is crowded.
Camp is made in the forests behind the lake Arcachon is well known for it's oyster (huître) beds, so a snack is required at the cafe down near the lake Giving energy to do some chores Including preparing dinner.
21st - At 8:00 am the beach is empty. . The duo drive towards Cap Ferret and stop at ‎the Forêt near Lège-Cap-Ferret and walk to the sea .
Untouched dunes. A video will pop up on "AthoCinema" (film archive) at some stage. . . .
The Atlantic is reached. Too rough to swim. But surfers seem to be enjoying it. . . A paddle is safe enough
The dune in the background across the basin is the Dune du Pilat. It's the highest sand dune in Europe. Cap Ferret and it's oyster beds . Leaving the Cap (cape)
Taking the ferry to upmarket Arcachon. . . .
A walk to check out some of the homes . . And the beach
. And back to Cap Ferret they go Catching the view The dune is over 100 metres high
At camp HQ . Dinner prep .
The sun sets well after 8pm when weary campers head for to the tent. On the 22nd the guys headed off home but not without visiting a Bordeaux wine Château. This is the Sauterne region so only they are produced. Chateau de Malle Back at home base the guys see that the chess tournament is still going. Their guest rented La Cachette for the week.
shh! 23rd - Olivia awoke to a special day. After her morning run it was time to collect the keys to her new pad! Keys collected with gifts from the realtor A gift also arrives care of the French Connection
Time to show the oldies around . And to watch her first sunset there Back at La Cachette the guys set up for a Canadian/Swedish couple that they asked for dinner - Nils and Gillian. A lovely retired architect and a WHO molecular biochemist who only retired in her early 80s!
22nd -25th - The Oxford lads took the train north to Chiang Mai . . It was a Vide Grenier (garage sale) for the whole nearby village of Cazals. There was also some art displays in gardens. So Michael, Julia, Alice and the duo headed there
. . A lovely lunch at the Guinguette de Cazals. This is where, when kayaking, the guys exit the river Back in the village and heading off.
25th - the Oxford lads were Island dwellers on Koh Samui before heading home on the 31st . . .
. 28th - A catch up call with Storm and Daniel who are housesitting in Burleigh Waters (Gold Coast) By the looks of it housesitting has many relaxing benefits. .
. 29th - Olivia is out with one of her running groups around the Torrens 30th - lunch is served With the holiday season wound up and kids returning to school, the Sunday market is somewhat quieter
As is the river 31st - a 6pm cycle to nearby Feneyrols to wind up the month. The chateau was built around the 13th century - 14th century The cycle offers nutrition along the way care of ripe plums that just fell into the duo's eager hands.