Canal du Garonne - Posting Two

It was fascinatingly sad to see a large moth attacked by a wasp and grounded repeatedly.  After each sting the wasp retreated about ten times its own length in distance and waited, then returned to do the same until the moth could not struggle any further.  After quite a long time ... well over an hour or maybe two,  the body had been eaten. I saw the wasp doing that very busily.  Wings were only left and even they disappeared eventually, for I could find no evidence of it on our return.  All this happened one metre from the entrance to my tent. I marked the spot with something to ensure that a human foot did not incur the wrath of the mothkiller!

We drove through Damazan...its heritage is based on grapes and tobacco.  The Château Comtal was once a military governor’s residence, then purchased by the Mothes in the 18th century when lattice windows, frescoes, painted ceilings were added. The chateau was used as a tobacco warehouse but in 1989 fire ravaged the building. It is ostensibly now being restored but looks to me as if it needs much more TLC. The refuse bins and litter around the wooden sculpture did little for my interest.

 Going back to camp a boulangerie was discovered just before the closed and this tart cost 5 euros, perfect for four servings and the candle helps it to represent my birthday cake on the day after.... as dessert before main meal served with a local wine from Marmande as a kind of aperitivo!

and the last part looked like -
a little mouse with a pretty smile -
Une petite souris avec un joli sourire.

Canal du Garonne - Posting One

One month ago my friend, for he is a friend, despite my difficulties with emotional attachment wished to look at a boat, and I wished to look at a chateau. He was unfortunately or fortunately first with his idea because I was still researching mine, and because the boat would not wait.  Chateaux will and do. I just didn't want to be in my house and in my village for my birthday... so it was rather wonderful weather, excellent camping, and amazing wheeling on bicycles along the Canal du Garonne.
So.... this was somewhere near Bergerac....

here were bridges across the canal....

here is the first pics of 'les ecluses et les eclusiers' ..which I started to document by number but I can't see the number over the door!!!!

up higher than the canal various villages... and scenes...

We got home after DAY 2 to my birthday meal at a wonderful campsite...

and the stress of being photographed whist I was tired, hungry and in need of a chill-out!

It was more than OK.  I was glad to be 'not at home' and doing something different!

Pics from the Past that I missed

Take an aubergine, halve down the centre keeping the stalk attached to the fruit. Slash each half into slices whilst holding the stalk. Put onto an oiled baking tray. Into the gaps stuff slices of tomatoes, onions. Make a paste of anchovies, sun dried tomatoes, red peppers or whatever you fancy andspread across the top and into the gaps.  You can put slices of anchovy into the gaps and then cover with a paste or just olive oil.  Scatter with sliced onions, garlic, pine nuts in this case and sprinkle with loads of olive oil plus salt, pepper and any other seasoning.  Bake! You can make it totally vegan without the anchovies.

I saw Power dressing Black in Orange!

The start of work???

A pile of debris in July... normally done in October!

A Liberty Fabric circa 1970 cottony velvet.  I like it! Autumn Leaves.. and I like the song too!

The kitchen cupboard doors painted for the laundry room were hung to dry.

with a different kind of linen-oh!

and this was the Hairy One Eyed Monster meal to finish leftovers just before a few days on holiday!

Mad!

Shepherd or Vineyard Worker Huts - Posting Two

Sunday 9th August 2015
A gentle morning.  Logs had fallen from the stored stack so were pushed back.  Lunch was leftovers.
Out came bicycles. We returned to follow tracks we made yesterday to Remerle, intending to continue to St Pierre de Maille. The tracks on the map led through woodland but in reality we could not get through.  We returned by the way we came and spotted another of the ancient cabanes or loges or bories.    It had been beautifully built and sadly was now quite tumbledown.  Continuing our route we found another. We parked our bikes before walking across the field. This is one of the best condition huts I have seen. Wonderful! Onwards again to walk across another field to what we thought was another such construction but we only found thick walls, piles of stones and dead branches.  All that excitement as well as finding a small private vineyard  was fascinating but 'twas tiring for my arms and wrists to ride on bumpy tracks.  We met the tarmac to cycle to Remerle, took the lane to the Confluence.  I had to stop and remark about the difference between the summer lane of yesterday and the one strewn with autumn leaves today.  It rained last night and does feel decidedly Autumnal!
Altogether we did 14km of cycling. We were out four hours because of exploration of ancient and natural formations. We like doing that.  He wanted to find a shop but I said it would be closed which it was. However, a bar was open so we decided to opt for a hot chocolate.  There we met two people we knew who bought us beer and so we chatted and had another.  Then a third was offered by another man but we declined.  I had to walk up that incline out of that town and when I got to the ruined chateau of my village, again I walked another incline.  Pushing the bike up the steep hill opposite the Chapelle is I think harder than cycling the road loop and I was pooped!
Home!  My leg is bruised and injured badly because I fell whilst stationary astride the bike.  Whilst looking at the map,  the legs wobbled in an M.E. way, the handlebars twisted and suddenly I was grasping my calf to staunch the pain and blood.  The pedal stabbed me!
Evening meal for me was an egg scrambled with mushrooms adorned with lettuce, one oat biscuit and a bit of cheese and Rooibus tea! YUM!
PHOTOS:
The first loges found next to the track.  Note the perfection of the rounded inner wall.

The second loges was reached by walking across a field. The modern tuffeau slabs once held a door.

 ...the view from its doorway...

 Inside, the earth floor is dry but stone walls have let in rain...

 We spotted the back of the domed shelter from far away!

Later we discovered another cross.  Passing locals knew nothing about the inscription: 1865 BAUDRONNE FRERES ... ???? Arunguiers ..... or something like that ... it was situated in private fenced land.

THIS IS A REALLY GOOD LOCAL SITE for maps for walkers, cyclists etc for routes and shows the one we did...found after the event!  You can also get the leaflets from Tourist Offices.. we used to! Go explore!