Another couple of days passed by with damp conditions. Mike and I checked out the orienteering course in the nearby woods and caught up with the gardening. Meanwhile the ladies hit the shops – that’s a big disadvantage of the bad weather. Not able to make the most of alfresco dining at the house we went into the nearby village of Duravel for lunch at the Restaurant de la Mairie.

This traditional café caters for workmen, locals and tourists at lunchtime with it’s ‘menu du jour’ ……

The board in the window doesn’t do justice to the feast inside. A large tureen of country soup arrives with a basket of bread and a bottle of red wine. After enjoying their lovely flavours, you go up to the salad buffet for a selection of fish, meat and salads. Don’t overdo it as you have only just started. The main course is served next – often some obscure French speciality [ie gizzards] but today, a Friday,  thankfully fish, ‘filet de merlu’. By the time you have finished this another bottle of wine has appeared on the table.

The cheese board comes with a selection of local and regional cheeses. Linger over this with some more fresh bread and red wine.

Next you have to choose from the extensive sweet menu – gateaux, tartes aux fruits, crème glacé etc. Then you can relax with the strongest coffee you have ever tasted. All for 13Euro!!

The only downside today was that  I had to ride back to the house a ‘new’  bike bought at a sale. Thankfully all the lower gears worked. The lanes around here are perfect for cycling as there is so little traffic, but there are some sharp hills. There is lots of opportunity for ‘off road’ cycling in the forests and vineyards.