Day 9 Saturday 24th a Low level ride and 18 holes

Another excellent meal in the La Buala Maison last night.An aperitif of apricot stuff with cheese and wrapped in bacon, Leak and ricotta pancakes to start followed by "boeuf en daube" and with a vanilla bavois desert. Was down with a never ending carafe of wine. More to follow later

Day 8 A day in the mountains

Thanks for your commnets Kaja . Posh hamper is now back on line! After a good nights sleep we were greeted by a splendid breakfast. Freshly baked bread, croissants , local cheeses, cold meats and a selection of homemade jams. The only disappointment was the weather . A fine day had been forecast but we awoke to light rain a drizzle.The colour of the sky appeared to improve over breakfast but the rain did not stop. Our host checked the web cam further up the valley and announced they was clear sky up the valley. We delayed setting off as long as possible but eventually decided to head for Col De Aspin. The waterproof stayed of for the the first few miles but were not required after we stopped for provisions. The road gently climbed to the start of the Col. We were invited as impromptu guests at wedding but had to make our excuses and move on. Just after the turn off for the Col de Aspin the sun came of and stayed out all the way to the top. The first 6km were fairly gentle with the occasion step section but the gradient increased for the last 6km after the ski resort. We eventually made if to the top we a lot of rest stops for Lyn. Photos were taken as it was now 3:30 we sat down to a well deserved picnic lunch. Admiring the view down the valley and the bright sunshine. Windproof tops we put on for the descent. We decided against more suncream and 8km do the valley we were in mist which then into light rain. The 20 mile downhill run to the BB was easy on the legs but we had to stop for an additional layer to keep warm. It had rained at the BB all day. The climb to the top was 950m from Bagneres so would be over 1000m of ascent from the BB. The other couple that are saying tackled the Tourmalet and had excellent views from the top. We are looking forward to tonight evening meal and we are getting the smell of it cooking as we are sat outside updating the blog and diary.

Thursday 22nd

No WIFI or phone signal for the last couple of nights . Now at La Buala Maison d'hotes in a little village of Anist. The day in picutes below. Text to follow later. In summary left BB, Armagnac tasting, visit to the glass expedition at Lavardens, a drive to La Buala AMison taking in a couple of small towns and Brexton lunch by a mill pound. Excellent meal sat outside at the BB last night . Now looking foward to the breakfast.

Day 3 Sunday 18th

Breakfast was served round a large table in the kitchen with the other guest. Fresh bread croissants and homemade jam. We we disappointed to find it was not included in the room price. We still would have has it if we had known. More to follow later . We are mow in Montignac

Saturday Le Nuerborg

Had the 8.50 Euro breakfast. A reasonable choice but a little dear. Decided to do another ride from the "Boucles touristiques a velo" leaflet we had picked up on our last visit 3 years ago. This time we selected "the red route on the map "Boucle du Plateau". We left the car at the hotel and cycled 3 milers along the excellent velo route to join the ride at point "J" on the map. The directions we all in Frech but we made our way round the 43 km without too many unintended diversions. We arrived back at the hotel just after 4:15 and then it was a 3 hour drive to Neuillé-le-Lierre and Domaine De LA Roche. Kate estimated our arrive time to be 19:45. We had to check in by 20:00 but made some time up on the Chambre D'hote .The web site did not have full postcode and the address of La Roche turned out to be a collection of 2 large house. Our large scale Michelin map came to the rescue and we rang the bell on the gate spot on at 8:00 pm. We could not remember if we had booked an evening meal. There was a kitchen available for us to use but as we had no food with us our only choice was the Auberge de la Brenne about 1 mile away. They we very busy but did manage to find us a table. The menu terrior was 42e per person! and even one course around 22e. If you missed the cheese course the menu Terriot was a more reasonable 31 e per pesron. The food was very good but portions a little small and we would have like some more vegetables.We severed by the owner who had white linen suit and fake wrap round glasses. I would happy stay there and the price of the rooms were similar to our BB. We got back to the BB just after 11:00 and we able to successfully negotiate the automatic gate. .

France Summer 2013

Arrived in Le Neubourd. 12 hours door to door, Stopped at our first Decathlon and had first Brexton stop at Baie DE Somme.

Let Play Commence

Wimbledon 2013