May day quiet - today a nice lunch out

Monday 1st May

Monday was a public holiday in France, May Day or Labour Day, and we knew almost nothing would be open. We figured that surely the money making ventures would be open, taking advantage of tourists, both local and foreign, but no, the nearby Chateau de Fenelon we planned to visit was closed (not just for the public holiday but until next Sunday when we will be far away from the area). 

We are staying near a village called Sainte Mondane.
This is the nearby Chateau de Fenelon.

Helping with the firewood.

Continuing on from the chateau we followed along a route on a map we found near the Chateau which took us along a canal with old mills along the length of the canal. The area here is a nut producing area, hence the mills. Mostly walnuts we think, but also hazelnuts and chestnuts. 

The Lot River. There are some really big rivers in France.

This canoeist didn't have to work too hard. The river was fast flowing.

One of the mills along the canal.

Dora then took over to bring us home and we came out at the road junction 50m away. There seems to be hundreds of bitumen roads everywhere - some appearing to run parallel to the one we are on, all sorts of widths of roads - if you can put a bitumen road there, then there is one. 

Tuesday 2nd May

Today's plan was lunch at Madame Murats - of Mary Moody fame. We had a lovely scenic drive to get there - narrow back roads and almost no traffic. Dora seems ro like taking us on all the minor roads rather than the longer way around.

We passed this old abbey from 11th century. Not open to tourists but a pretty impressive building.

Lunch - this is our third visit and we thoroughly enjoy the experience.  We have no idea what's for lunch but we just go with the flow. Soup, charcuterie plate, duck for Rob and steak for me, cheese, creme brulee puor moi, and pear clafoutis for Rob, then coffee. The place wasn't as full as we have experienced in the past but it's interesting to watch the farmers and tradies come in for lunch. Two new things we saw - adding water to the red wine, and putting a little red wine in the bowl after you've finished your soup, swirling it around and then drinking from the bowl.

This dog was also enjoying lunch.
He was in his basket under the table but didn't like his photo being taken.

Odette was quite taken with this gorgeous 2CV.

Onwards from lunch to the medieval village of Bèlves. it was granted a papal town by the archbishop in the 1200s. The town was beseiged and invaded by the english seven times during the 100 year war. It was a lovely little village, though not as medieval as some we have visited, and it was very clean and tidy (and we parked right near the loos).  Best thing about this village was that there were very few tourists there - not on your apt or Trafalgar tour. 

Just a few photos of Bèlves.

The old neck ring for the pillory still hung on one of the posts.