Out of office on……

Sat 13th Apr - Mum's last day with us! Today we drove east to La Roque-Gageac, passing through a lovely hillside town called Belves on the way. There were a few diversions in place as a 100km run was taking place (the runners looked hot!!) La Roque-Gageac town is set into the cliff and sits on the Dordogne river, it's very small and has a handful of cafes, hotels and souvenir shops. We took a 1 boat trip taking in the sights (castles, bridges and the cliff landscape) from the vantage point of the river. Nice! We then had a coffee before driving to Bergerac airport and dropping mum off. It's been ace having her here - the company, babysitting and Daisy has loved having Nanny to play with! It's great that the flight times work out so well too as mum will be back on the IOM by late this evening so no overnight stay needed. We went to the supermarket in Bergerac and then home to enjoy the last of the afternoon sun. I took Daisy for a walk around - the hosts here have just started building a round house in the wood (to be used to run a homeschool facility) so there's more people (and kids, tents and dogs) around who have come to help out with the build. Daisy didn't sleep well as she couldn't breathe through her nose so she was in with us...we all had a lie in in the morning!

Sun 14th Apr - cloudy morning. Went for a short run with Glenn and Daisy following on his bike for moral support! After breckie we headed back to Issigeac again for the market. Bought a few fresh bits and then back to the same cafe as last week for another coffee and pain au raisin (both tired today so stocking up on carbs and caffeine!). The cafe also has loads of games to play and a lovely little play area for kids which kept Daisy entertained...as well as the resident cat and dog wandering around! The sun came out so we headed back to the house for an afternoon in the garden playing/eating/drinking/reading. Had a chilled evening with fish and local potatoes, asparagus and tomatoes for tea - tasty!

Mon 15th Apr - Glenn work up feeling rough and spent most of the day sleeping...poor him, wiped out! Took Daisy for a little walk and then we went to Beaumont to get some painkillers and throat soothers for Glenn. Daisy is still getting over her cold - she fell asleep in the car and had a 1 hour nap, obviously needed! I did some work (STEP and ULaw) while Glenn and Daisy chilled in the living room. Late afternoon I took Daisy for a walk in the pram around the local lanes - she fell asleep again for about 40 mins. Had ravioli and salad for tea. Daisy struggled to get off to sleep, I think overtired today but still not going off on her own well so it's taking one of us to lie with her until she nods off in the evening which is fairly time-consuming and slightly annoying! Chilled evening - all tired!

Tues 16th Apr - pretty chilled day. I cracked on with work in the morning and then went for a short run while Glenn (feeling better than yesterday) looked after Daisy. Glenn napped with Daisy at lunchtime then in the afternoon we went to Beaumont and hada wander around some of the streets we hadn't yet explored. Bought some bread and a pain au raisin and egg custard flan from the bakery - all made in store! Delish. Then home for tea, beer and crib. Daisy refused to sleep and cried every time we tried to leave her so at 9.15pm I took her to our bed and ended up falling asleep with her too.

Wed 17th Apr - Did some work while Glenn took Daisy out and about the estate (to see the horses, chickens, play on the swings etc!). Had brunch sat outside (warm but slightly overcast with a breeze). Then Glenn worked while I got Daisy off for a cap. At 2pm we had an alfresco lunch and then had a leisurely bike ride around some of the local roads getting to know the area better. We were out for about 50 mins and Daisy enjoyed being on the back of Glenn's bike spotting the cows, tractors and ladybirds! 🙂 Glenn went to the shops and then we gave Daisy a bath before bed. Tonight I 'went to bed' with Daisy at 7.30pm in our bed. She settled a lot quicker and didn't wake in the night (apart from her normal stirrings) so this may be the new routine!

Thurs 18th Apr - went for a run then off in the car to Monpazier, a town 20 mins south-east to check it out and see the local market (of course!). The town is lovely with nice old buildings, little independent shops on streets leading down to a square lined with cafes. Probably about the size of Issigeac, bigger than Beaumont. We had a wander around, bought some fruit and then got a galette (savoury pancake) and a fruit smoothie (Glenn got a beer) from a little truck/shack selling organic and gluten free goodies. It was run by an English couple who had moved out to the region 15 years ago and who also cater for English weddings taking place in Dordogne. Back to the house, I did some work and then we chilled around the property and garden as it was another nice, sunny afternoon. Got Daisy off to sleep at 7.30 and then had a deli team - very nice!

Fri 19th Apr - did a little bit of work then went for a run (me followed by Glenn). Then we made the most of the sunny weather and had brunch outside and chilled in the garden. Daisy had her shorts, t-shirt, hat and wellies on 🙂 After lunch Glenn cycled to Beaumont to get supplies (more bread and pastries!) then we all had a chill evening.

It's been a bit of a slower week this week. In one way it's been good as we've relaxed into the holiday and chilled whilst also getting more work done. However, it hasn't been great that both Daisy and Glenn have been under the weather 🙁 So hopefully that's behind us now...let's see what's in store for us next week!

Pics from the week...