July 2024

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1st - given to Stephen last December but unable to take back to France (he only had carry on luggage) James and Keno's 2023 birthday gift for Stephen - a 2003 Châteauneuf. Yum. 2nd - a Guildford meeting half way between Stephen & Paulie's Oxford base and Greg & Rosie's London base. They come every year to help babysit the grandkids. A great lunch
4th - flying into France on their election day At La Cachette the garden had certainly sprung into life since the guys left March for 4 months in the Antipodes and Vietnam. . .
The dynamic duo tamed to wisteria As well as trimmed it on the neighbour's side - they were back in Denmark. . petit déjeuner dans le jardin
7th - market day had certainly also sprung into life . . .
A wonderful feeling being back in their second home . . 9th - meanwhile James was in Portugal for a week with his videographer colleague working on a few sustainable cork productions
. 10th - some gardening work at Yolande's The increasing heat brought out one of the reptile locals to play. After months of Olivia hunting for a flat to purchase, and repeatedly being "gezumped", things are heating up.
11th - Olivia's offer to buy a flat has been accepted! Having visted a few potential properties with her when in Adelaide in June, Paulie and Stephen were rather excited too. 11th - the signed contract is in hand Later in the month Olivia was able to drop in and take some measurements
14th - after a week of cleaning and gardening, La Cachette is ready for a next 4 week booking All is squeaky clean . .
. The guys relocated to Pal Storm and Daniel's room at La Porte Bleue where Michael generously hosted them . Out in the countryside. The tournesols are thriving
15th - back to Yolande's farm for fresh air and a quiter time Our equine pals seem to have found an open gate Arthur joins us and asks for a slice "of that please". But Stephen is not feeling generous ...
...and explains this to Arthur and that it's time to head back to the paddock. . . Some have time to relax after lunch
Whilst some (Yolande's nephew Pablo) get back to work 19th - A peddle 7km up the hills to La Corniche for the view and sense of achievement
Meanwhile, back in Australia. Nick is off to yoga in tropical Cairns Whilst 2,700km south at snowed-in Mt Hotham, the Dunlop kids continue their school term on the slopes and classroom . Paulie's sister Jan, husband Jim, & niece Shari explore around Jan and Jim's new home in Noosa Junction
Out and about Reclaiming Yolande's veggie garden . 23rd - Les Eyzies in Le Périgord / la Dordogne en route to catch up with friends
. . Arrived - Paulie and Jude worked decades ago at TV NZ. The guys try to catch her and Phil when in France or in England and last met when they drove up from their home in Guildford to Oxford in June 2023 (see photo archive) 15 "bossy girls" (NGO warrior women) were in residence in the two beautifully restored homes near Riberac. They had all worked in Thailand, Laos and Myanmar for years. Some still do. Paulie and Stephen pitched a tent
An inviting pool helped them cool down in the .. ...and lovely garden gave them space. A mix of Kiwi, Brit, French, Portuguese and Spanish women made for interesting dinner conversations for all (including the 3 men) Early risers
Time to pack up the tent and to explore the region a wee bit But first Paulie and Stephen said goodbye to Virginia Henderson ( architectural historian who Paulie went to primary school with in tiny Waikaka, NZ) and Jude. Rather average rosé for lunch in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne... ... But excellent fish and chips!
A Brit couple were married in the Church of Saint Jean, an underground Monolithic church The crypt was only discovered in the 20th century. . Hewn from solid rock in the 12th century it's the largest subterranean church in Europe
. . . 24th - en route home the guys pitch a tent near Rocamadour
packing down... ... and dropping in on Cahor's Intersport shop for some camping essentials. Each week in Adelaide Olivia continues with team runs .
26th - Time to lend a hand at friend Yolande's farm property. Measuring material to hang for shade. Stephen worked on taming the orchard That evening, Michael's partner, Julia, hosted her venisage with another artist. Her pal Theresa gave moral support. . .
. . Meanwhile in Cambridge, Oxford lads James and keno spent the weekend at a friend's wedding Of course the punting wasn't as interesting as Oxford punting.
28th - Early morning cycles aplenty. The only way to escape the heat of high 30 degree days is to be active in the morning. Today a 24km round trip to Caylus Back home towards the cliffs of Les gorges de l'Aveyron That evening the duo set up camp on their pal's - Rosie & Robin - land, property in Larroque. Each village has it's fête at this time of year. That evening was the Sardine Festival only 50 metres from their property. .
The local team put on a great night. See the film archive link for a 2 minute video summary of the event . . .
The duo had been to a few Larroque gigs including a few hunter's (chasseur) dinners. See 2013 and 2015 in the photo archive and there are a few videos in the Film Archive Paulie and Stephen lasted until midnight and were thankful not to have to drive 20 minutes back to Saint Antonin. In the morning, Rosie and Robin shared a coffee and had a Fête debrief And the scenic drive home was as lovely as ever
. 30th - the guys off for another moring pedal. This time to Milhars, 14 km away, for their morning coffee And coincidentally (because the duo just booked lunch with him for a few days later) Alan dropped into his local. James, Paulie and Stephen first met Alan in 2013 in Albi (see link for April 21 onwards in photo Album) .
The pretty cycle home . 30th - an afternoon cool down at Julia's pool up the hill at St Antonin Stephen joins the Docherty lads with a missing face.
. Back in Oxford, James has had his demi-Bro Julian and partner Lucy staying for a week 31st - another early cycle. This time up the challenging Caussade Road. Paulie aces it and beats a few cars :-) And back down to the village at 60kph
Followed by a cool-down peddle along the shaded riverside That evening Yolande invited the duo to dinner at her farm Yolande's brother Michel and sister-in-law Elizabeth were in town for a few nights en route from Bordeaux to their county house in the Pyrenees. Dinner (Margret de canard) by candle light
And as the light fade in one of France's least light polluted areas... Michel and Stephen joined the "star gazing gals of St Antonin" Well worth it! And around midnight the team tidied up and made the 10 minute drive back to Saint A. A marvelous way to wind up the month!