Being retired is a beautiful thing. We got up this morning, realized the cleaning gal was coming, realized the plumber was coming to cut holes in the ceiling of our rental house to fix a leak, and realized we have nothing better to do than to go on a wild goose chase for ideas for the house. I had found a fabulous reclamation yard on the internet and had always wanted to go take a look, so I proposed a little road trip to Theo and off we went! Of course, we took the babies, and along the way, we stopped for some wonderful surprises…
The dogs needed a break and we stumbled upon this beautiful derelict hospital and accompanying garden in Villeneuve-sur-Lot. The lion statue with her cubs was priceless (and Alfie didn’t even bark at them!)
A delightful view of the Lot river through town.
Interesting to watch the architecture change by the half-hour on the road. This cathedral of brick was really something different in Villeneuve-sur-Lot.
Annie looking to see where her next SNIFF is going to be!
Local architecture.
Market on the river (and proud papa with his two doggies.)
Amazing that all this amazing brickwork is covered up by plaster to look ‘modern!’ Love that it’s peeled away…
Breathtaking view from Tournon-D’Agenais, an ancient 12th century bastide on the top of a hill in the Lot-et-Garonne department.
An unusual sun-dial clock. Not sure of it’s accuracy today, but I’ll add it to my arsenal of interesting clocks (you all KNOW what a nut I am about clocks of all kinds).
And finally, after lunch, our destination. Only an hour and a half from the house, but we made a day of it. Cindy is in HEAVEN!!! Over 3 hectares of crazy iron, stone, tile, and clay products.
Thinking I want to replace the stupidly small pond in the front garden of our house with a fountain. Easier to maintain and a bit more ‘my’ style. Thinkin’ this one might be nice…
Moroccan pot (stored upside down for safety), but thinking I NEED one of these for a statement piece in the garden. Was planning to get one from a place I know in Spain, but this would be much easier. And isn’t it a beauty?
Theo’s thinking maybe a new grander gate for the house to replace the simpleton picket gate there now. This one caught his eye and the price is right, but we have to figure out if it fits in with the whole scheme of things.
And lastly, the product we came for. Inexpensive Turkish travertine for the patio. I’m not sold on the idea yet, but the price it phenomenal at €15/m2!
A great day it was. Full of new villages on the way out and stops at familiar haunts on the way home. Lovin’ it!
Love seeing how the house is coming along and all the countryside photos and of course pics of the children! Oh yes! And Theo too!?
Thanks, Meg. That’s our life right now. And we are extremely happy. Theo is headed to the States next weekend, but I’ll be staying with the doggies and the remodel. Hope all is well with you guys. Be sure to include us in any future European travel plans. Would LOVE to share our little piece of heaven with you!
Bonsoir Cindy,
j’ai regardé ces photos magnifiques plusieurs fois. Ce sont des photos intenses, d’une grande sensibilité. Pour moi ils me rappelent mon séjour en France il y a 45 ans. Il y a un France des coins qu’on n’oublie jamais. Cindy, toi tu a la main et l’oeil pour les choses les plus belles, les plus émouvantes.
Bien à toi
Dagmar
Thank you for your kind comments, Dagmar. I’m so happy to be able to share my feelings being here through some simple shots through the camera lens. Truly a special corner of the world.