Illuminated by a strong sun in a clear blue sky, the same paths I walked yesterday looked very different. The dripping pegs now held a line of washing. The pumpkins had been harvested; the windfalls seemed more palatable; and butterflies flitted among the vines.
Today Moreen drove us to the marvellous house, built by Paul and his father-in-law from lessons taken from the internet, in which they are to spend their next six months. Perched on a hilltop on the outskirts of Bourlens in Lot it offers wonderful views across sloping fields and woods. The Bastide town of Tournon stands on neighbouring heights.
Views either side of the winding route from Sigoules were shrowded in haze.
After carrying in some of my friends’ belongings in preparation for their move tomorrow, we lunched in the superb Le Beffrois restaurant in Tournon. Our meal was an excellent salad followed by well grilled chicken kebabs and beautifully presented profiteroles. We shared a full-bodied bottle of choice Cahors.
The bill was presented in a delightful manner. A small hand stretched out from the side of the waitresses left lower limb. Shyly sheltering behind her mother was a little girl of about four years old who could count in English. This was Leona, who was soon to enter into an arrangement with John. She is to teach him French and he will teach her English. John and Mo will go there again.
After the meal we walked around the town, and looked down over the valley below.
I did, of course, fall asleep on the return journey, to awake as Mo drew up outside an antiques shop. There my friends bought me a mirror of admirable quality to replace the bathroom one which has collapsed. Unlike Michael Palin in ‘The Life of Brian’, John demonstrated admirable haggling qualities. This being their last night, we visited Le Code Bar.