Sun 28th Apr Glenn and I went for a run then we all headed off to Issigeac market (again!). Ho and Margie loved it! Got a few bits, went to the same cafe again but they were out of pastries! So we bought some from a boulangerie and went back for a coffee and they were happy with us eating our pastries in the cafe (I had a beer). They even brought out the resident cats for Daisy that were there last time we visited 🙂 Then back to the house for a sit in the sun (Ho had a nap as he’s getting over a cold). Ho bought rabbit sausage, chicken sausage and chicken heart from the market and made a lovely ‘stew’ with white asparagus for tea (with bread and pasta). Glenn and I went out for a lovely cycle around Monsac and back (nice loop) while tea was being made. Then chilled, drank and chatted. I did some cross stitch and had a coffee.
Mon 29th Apr Margie wasn't feeling very well today so we had an at-home day. Lovely sunny weather so chilled at the house and out in the garden. Ho drove to Beaumont in the morning for pastries and bread for him and Glenn. Enjoyed the sunshine (I did cross stitch and yoga) and then at 5.30 I went for a lovely cycle (the Monsac loop again and then out to Le Cariol), so nice in the sun…lovely big fields, loads of greenery and trees, tractors out, birds of prey overhead. I was out for about an hour and only passed 4 cars the whole cycle! Showered then tea and chilled.
Tue 30th Apr Had a chilled morning, took Daisy out and around the gardens and we stayed at the house while Margie, Ho and Glenn went to Bergerac for lunch before dropping Ho off at the airport. After her nap, Daisy and I had lunch and then sat outside playing games and went for a slow meander around the estate -Daisy walks really well and enjoys being outside! Glenn and Margie came back around 5pm, Glenn and I went for a short slow run (it was still hot) and then Glenn and Margie went to the supermarket and I chilled with Daisy and gave her tea.
Wed 1st May Glenn and I did some work while Margie played with Daisy in the sun. Had brunch outside - very hot out today! Sat/played out in the sun for the rest of the morning. After a late alfresco lunch Glenn, Margie and Daisy went to look at the wooden house on wheels on the property and I walked into Beaumont along with footpath trails (hot but nice!). Glenn, Margie and Daisy came in to meet me and go to the shops, however everything was shut as it was a French bank holiday for May Day. Drove home, chilled outside then baths, deli tea and drinks before bed.
Thur 2nd May Went for a short run while Glenn did some work, then I booked flights home for Daisy and I (!!) as we decided that was a better option than putting her in the car for 7 hours a day for 3 days to get back up again. It would then be a more enjoyable trip for Glenn and Margie too! We drove to Monpazier (one of our favourite little towns, very picturesque), had a stroll around the market and Margie and I had a galette (savoury pancake made with buckwheat flour) with salmon, cream cheese, asparagus and egg (shared with Daisy), Glenn had a waffle with nutella followed by a ham and cheese galette after seeing ours. This was from a busy little food van in the market so made fresh to order - tasty 🙂 We also ordered two 'cafe au laits', however they came as a strong espresso shot and tiny plastic sachet of milk so that was me wired for the day! Had a nice chat with a hat seller in the square and all tried on various hats (including Daisy!)...Margie bought herself and I a hat (thank you!) and then we wandered back to the car and on to Chateau del Castelnaud…Daisy slept a bit on the way (about 50 mins). The castle was one we had seen during the boat ride with Mum…high up on a hill. It was really good - got to look around the rooms and see the artillery used as well as furniture, armour etc. Best of all were the views over the Dordogne river and surrounds…loads of trees, birds flying underneath us, castles in the distance. We all really enjoyed it! Stopped at a little bar on the way back (just under the castle) for a shnifter (our term for a little glass of wine, which we’ve been having frequently at lunchtime and evening!) then drove back home via a supermarket for bread and milk etc. Lovely day out!
Fri 3rd May Glenn did some work in the morning and I got all checked in for our flights home tomorrow. Found mouse droppings in the kitchen and Daisy’s porridge oats had been finished 🙁 Not good! We’d heard them in the loft but obviously now getting into the house. Took Daisy out around the garden, then in time for her nap we drove to Sarlat which took just over 1 hour. Sat out in the square which was buzzing with tourists for a nice lunch - Glenn and I shared a pizza and tuna nicoise and Margie had a lasagne (not very French I know!). Had a browse around the shops, bought some nut liquor (been looking to try this!) and a little tea tray. Left about 6ish got home gave Daisy some yoghurt and fruit and then Margie gave her a bath etc while Glenn and I had a quick run. I wasn’t hungry at all from lunch so didn’t have any tea (or drink!). Chilled, did some cross stitch then bed at 11pm.
Sat 4th May Got packed up and went into Beaumont for a final time! It was nice and sunny, had a last look around the shops while Glenn and Margie sat outside a cafe for a coffee. Back home I got final bits together and we had a nice deli lunch. We all did the drive to Bergerac airport, it was a bit sad saying bye to Glenn as we’d never done this before! Daisy also called ‘Daddy, daddy!’ after Glenn left, but soon got distracted by all the people with bags and hats etc. Bergerac airport is tiny and the departure lounge is literally that - chairs and a vending machine. WE watched planes out the window before boarding the Ryanair flight to Liverpool. Daisy was brill - sat on my knee the whole time, read a French kids magazine I’d bought, watched a bit of Hey Duggee, listened to nursery rhymes and looked at clouds out the window. Got a few comments about how well behaved she was and how good her language was for her age! Had to go back through departures at Liverpool which took quite a bit of time, once through we had just enough time to get something to eat, give Daisy her milk and get her into her PJs. She was brill again on the Flybe flight which was only 25 mins - she enjoyed seeing boats out of the window and liked the ‘bump’ at the end! I seriously can not believe how well Daisy has been today (and how much she actually enjoyed it!), she’s just made it so easy for me to fly with her. Mum met us at the airport at 9pm (would have been 10pm in France) and we drove back to hers where we were spending the night. Daisy got off to sleep really easily, I had a cuppa and catch up with mum and then off to bed (shared the sofa bed with Daisy!). She woke crying in a bit of a state twice which happens when she is over tired bless her. Had a lovely morning chilling at Nanny’s and nipped up to the Sound for a cuppa and catch up with Jam, Don and the kids. Had an ace time away, so glad we did it but also nice to be home! Glenn and Margie headed towards the boat on Sunday morning, stayed the evening in Rouen and then got the boat over on Monday morning and drove all the way up to Chester for a night in Hoole and quick catch up with Ho and Polly. They got the Liverpool boat back to the IOM on Tuesday morning and Glenn arrived home Tuesday afternoon - we were both very happy to see him!
