Dordogne area and chateaus

Saturday saw us all packed into the 9 seater people mover they had hired and with Pete the chauffeur we took off to Sarlat to see the market there. Well it was huge! 8 of us went off in our own directions without working on a meeting point, so this was going to be fun!

When I say huge, I mean we went down the street and it kept going, around a corner it continued as far as eye could see.

Sarlat market

In any case Fi and I had a great look around and caught up with Bob and Pat at one point and set a meeting spot at 1.30 to tell the others if we saw them. After seeing so much including the food and countless pate de fois gras stands we met Bob and Pat but none of us had seen the others.

So we sat down for a coffee then I went back n to locate others. Found Pete and Wendy as the market was clearing at 2.00. We 6 then made our way to a restaurant for lunch and eventually located Don and Vicki.

Well fed on duck (was only choice) we made our way back to car and as the stalls had moved we could actually see the place.

Sarlat architecture

From there we had a country drive and stopped at Cro-Magnon where the bones were found. Nearly lost Bob but he was found safe in a bar with beer in hand!

Returning back to Monpazier was easy and on out return some of us wiled away our time at the square with a welcome beer.

We had a booking at restaurant for that night and at 8.00 we sat down and had a great meal with the local wines.

The area is in Bordeaux so the local wines by carafe were great. I had the rabbit for a main as did 4 other and it was superb.

Back home for a few after dinner drinks saw us all of to bed.

Up Sunday and only 4 of us headed out for day as the others wanted the down time after their first hectic week having had 4 days in Paris before arriving.

Villereal church with 3 bells

Well our first stop was because we saw a large church so Pete the driver was asked to stop. The church has 3 huge bells in tower. There was also an interesting antique market on so naturally we had to stop for a poke around.

Then it was off to Issigeac for another market! Guess you are getting idea of tour director Wendy's plans!

In any case a smaller market than Sarlat, however many of same stallholders! After a bit there we headed off to a medieval town of Beaumont. I am still trying to figure why some are Bastide and some are medieval.

In any case another beautiful place with the defensible church inside the walled town.

Church at Beaumont

Our plan was for lunch but it appears that the French on Sundays close off at 2.00. So we decided to head towards river and hopefully find a larger pace where we could feed.

In any case we headed north and soon fell across a majestic chateau overlooking a valley and perched upon a rock.

Chateau de Bannes

It is a private estate and is majestic. A quick look to get some photos and off we headed towards Lalinde where we expected some sort of eating establishment on river Dordogne.

Again beautiful area but no eatery open anywhere.

Lalinde on the river Dordogne

we commented that with such a lovely river and views a pub/cafe on river would clean up. In any case with the hunger biting we returned to Monpazier where we had tucker!

So with Fi and I having to leave at 6.00 we made up platters and enjoyed wonderful company for a couple of hours.

Quick drive to Bergerac to drop off car and then the quaint airport which is so civilised. Easy through with a bar, so we recapped our days before leaving France

Arrival in London City Airport has helped regain my faith in how travel should be. Quick efficient and w were soon on our way back to Greenwich.

Up today and Fi has gone to work. I am left with the washing etc, but all is good. My nephew Sam is arriving today for a couple of days, so until next time. Au Revoir.

Vive Monpazier

Friday saw us up early for the quick DLR trip to London City Airport. Cute small airport was a dream to get through. Flight to Bergerac (only a tad over hour) was also quick and we picked up hire car.

Bergerac airport is even smaller and we literally did customs in a tin shed!

Anyway a 40 minute drive getting used to wrong side of road brought us to picture postcard Monpazier.

Peter and Wendy and family were out so we let ourselves in and explored town.

Monpazier square

Apparently we missed market day but loved wandering around this old Batiste town.

Back to the 14 th century house after a couple of beers we awaited the crews return.

They arrived and a great night ensued. Fi got on famously and many drinks later we got to bed.

Don, Vicki, Wendy, Bob, Pat,

Peter, Fi, and I

House has 4 bedrooms each with own bathroom, so very comfortable.

Up this morning awaiting our tour director (Wendy) to tell us what we will see today.

Preparing for France

With the weekend past the next weekend sees Fi and I off to Bordeaux region for 3 days. We are looking forward to catching up with Peter and Wendy who are staying in Monpazier for a week, but sadly we only have 2 nights.

So I have been shopping to get a new backpack as my trusty old boy finally had his last trip!

So quietish time although still managing to see my friends at the Mordern.

Locals are strange at the Mordern

In any case I am busily updating new Tom Tom with Europe maps as we will fly into Bergerac airport before heading to see them in Monpazier. Been a while since I drove on right hand side so will se how that all goes.

https://www.northofthedordogne.com/monpazier.php

So next post should be from the beautiful region of Dordogne and we are staying in a 4 bedroom renovated villa that was built in 1353! Wendy's family of dad and mum, and sister and brother-in-law get there today so should be fun.

Culture and shows in East London

Been a few days so will catch up after great weekend in town. Fi and I had decided on a weekend getaway in London. Yeah I know we are in London but wanted a special couple of days.

So on Friday I made my way to Aldgate and booked into the Dorsett Hotel. Very nice hotel and extremely well appointed. Right next door to Aldgate station and that means about 200 metres from East Aldgate station! Means you can take 4 lines to get there!

So after booking in I made my way to Dominion Theatre where caught up with Fi and Leah after work. We had booked into the Bat out of Hell show and after meeting up made our way in.

Ok I had to do it!

The show had the worst storyline linking the songs together about some apocalyptic future and there were also plenty of new songs to help with the linking. If you ignored the storyline, the music was wonderful and all the old favourites were done masterfully.

The main singers (about 7) all had great voices and the production was explosive ( I mean stuff blew up). In any case I enjoyed and the girls are still thinking about it!

Afterwards we had a couple of drinks then Leah went her ways and we returned to our hotel where we went to the ground floor bar for a couple more.

Slept in then with a glorious Saturday ahead, Fi and I wandered off to explore. Found a great cafe for brunch then off to Old Spitafield Markets where Fi was in heaven. Really good markets with interesting stuff. Loaded up we made our way to Brick Lane Markets for more retail therapy and I managed to get a couple of new shirts.

Made our way back to hotel area and went down road where we found ourselves at the Tower which is only about 400 yards away! It was time for refreshments so we had a couple at the Minories Pub which is a lovely set up.

Back up to our Hotel and went to the rooftop bar on the premises.

View from roof looking South with Tower Bridge 

Big day and many kilometres travelled we had a scrub up then decided on chinese as Fi had a craving for dumplings. Looked around but settled on the chinese on the first floor of the Hotel. Sikumen was great and perhaps some of the finest chinese we have ever had.

Went the banquet for 2. Seafood dumplings were superb although sadly I only got one of the 8! Made up with it though with the crispy duck pancakes which was also superb, then we had a beef in wine dish, where the beef literally melted in mouth and vegetable dishes followed by a sweet and sour chicken!

Cocktails and dumplings

Great service, fantastic food and for London very well priced at only £30.00 pounds a head! Would recommend.

Fully sated and happy we made our way back up to rooftop to see the view at night then finally to bed at a fairly late time.

Up on Sunday more exploring was in store so we found another market, this time the Petticoat Lane markets, which were sadly dissapointing with lots of trashy stores.

Continuing on our way we wandered down to the Barbican and then onto London museum to see the old London exhibitions.

London Roman Wall

After a couple of hours there it was back up to hotel to get our bags and finally make our way slowly back to Greenwich with mandatory rest stops along way. Caught up with Leann at Daveys for a debrief of weekend, then home for dinner.

Our East End weekend was a great success and now girls are at work and I am doing the admin chores after a full weekend.

Return London

Great morning with sun out saw me hop on the river cruise in Bath. A leisurely cruise between the 2 weirs from Bath to Bathampton Mill. Pretty countryside and some more history learned including the Bathampton Toll Bridge which was built privately and is still owned privately and generates a nice sum for the owners at 80 pence a car with 4000 crossing daily!

Bathampton Mill weir and toll bridge

After another stroll around town it was back on the train to Paddington. Caught up with Fi there and we went to a pop up bar with her work crew and also joined by Tezza and Steph as well.

Hours wound past and late in evening we made our way back via Paddinton station and decided on Uber home.

Worse for wear (Me not the bear)

So up this morning with some tidying up to do and then I am checking into Hotel in London proper fo 2 days with Fi. Going to a show tonight with Leah and then spending a day in Shoreditch area.

Will keep you posted when I can.

Bath for a couple of days

I mean I did not need a bath, rather in Bath to check it out.

Easy trip from London on train and the town is lovely. Architecture and buildings in the local limestone is wonderful.

True Georgeon

In any case I did the hop on hop off bus around and saw the sights. Naturally had to visit the Roman Baths which do not look inviting in their natural green state.

Your choice?

In any case great day and then I retired to the Royal Hotel directly across road from train station. Lovely rooms, and of some architectural importance designed by Brunel.

Went to the Huntsman Inn for dinner and joined a Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk. Very much fun for an hour and a half around the town. Notihng historical but some hysterical.

Up today for morning around before heading off to London.

Bank Holiday weekend

Well the summer is over and normal weather with clouds and showers. We managed a BBQ on Saturday with weather holding enough for the afternoon.

Friends Sarah and Romano joined us and we had lamb and chicken skewers, whilst the girls did fantastic dips and salads in mid-east theme. We partied on until around midnight.

Up Sunday to a dreary day but headed to Queens Park for Sunday roast. Caught up with the Hughes clan including Tezza and Steph, the parents from Australia.

Moo and Shane

Finished up there and us 3 made our way back home.

Up today