We got up reasonably early, grabbed some breakfast, and set off to check out the artisan markets at Saint-Germain-du-Bel-Air with a view to getting gifts for people. We got there and parked, and walked around, but couldn't find any markets. Christian texted John, who replied to say that they were definitely on, because he was there. We finally found them, and discovered them to be slightly disappointing. Some of the stalls were the same as at Gourdon the day before, and there was one pottery stall, and nothing else of the kind we were looking for. Oh well. We got a sample of some foie gras, and some lovely pate.
From there we set off for Padirac caves (looking out for supermarkets to buy some ear drops to clear my still blocked right ear, but failing), arriving at about 12.30. We got in the queue (not too long) and progressed through the hot sun to the ticket office. We got our tickets for €9 something, and descended into the depths. After the second flight of steps, we took some photos back up the huge cave opening. We moved on, through increasingly cold and drippy walkways, taking a few photos, to the punt queue. We were lucky that they called for two as soon as we walked up, so got on a punt quickly. The punts were heavy and steel, and we got a seat to ourselves at the back. The guy operating the punt told Christian to watch the water with his camera.
We set off through the caves. I took a photo and the punt guy said 'pas le photo'. Damn. The cave walls were huge, and the ceiling was a *long* way up. The punt glided easily through the water, passing other punts, and the wall, without much clearance. Punt guy was very skilful. Sadly, he was speaking French, and while Christian could mostly follow what he was saying, I had no chance. He explained how limestone is formed.
We docked at the end of the boat trip, and a lady took over the tour. We walked up and down and around, looking at pools, stalactites, stalacmites, and all sorts of amazing formations. There were a few things I would dearly loved to have taken photos of, but she repeated that photos weren't allowed. It's quite a magical place, and I could see why divers want to submerge themselves in such interesting and beautiful puddles.
The walking part finished, and we were passed back to Mr Punt Man. We got back to the beginning with a minimum of fuss, and jumped out of the boats. On the way back to the stairs, we decided to buy a copy of the photo of us in the punt, taken by a professional on the way past. It's quite good. We went back up two lifts, and the top stairs, with the temperature increasing exponentially as we went, back into the bright sunshine.
It was 2.30 by now, and we were starving. We'd intended to buy a feast from a supermarket, but walked away from the completely touristy expensive restaurants, and found a nice, laid back bar/restaurant, with a lovely serving man. Christian ordered confit of duck, with smoked duck, salad, and chips. I ordered a salad with two kinds of smoked duck, and foie gras. Both meals were huge and extremely good, and not that expensive. We enjoyed them very much.
We headed off again, to Rocamadour. We parked near the chateau, and went into the battlements to look at the view. From there, we made our way down the fourteen stations of the cross (backwards), and I tested out my French. We got to the main square with the pilgrimage church of Notre Dame, but kept going past it as we were both craving ice cream. We found a nice cafe, and Christian had a peach melba, and I had pistacchio and white chocolate ice creams.
After that, we only had time to wander for a while, looking for presents for Sandie - settling on prunes in Armagnac - before we had to go back up. The town is quite touristy, but quaint at the same time. We went back up to look in the church (I had to cover my shoulders and shortsness), which again has beautiful windows, and then we headed off to get the funicular back up to the chateau. The drive back to St Cirq was uneventful, and we didn't get back until about 6.30.
We did what packing up we could, taking down the wind break. Christian packed the wine and dive gear. I got some more ear drops from Rachael, in an attempt to clear my right ear once and for all. It stayed blocked for ages afterwards, and I didn't have much hope for it working.
Our final dinner was lovely, with more prawns for starters, and tasty confit. Turns out that Sandie couldn't eat the prunes because she can't eat sugar (:-(), so she served them up to everyone, and kept the jar, vowing to make her own version for next year.
We said goodbye to everyone, and headed off to bed.
From there we set off for Padirac caves (looking out for supermarkets to buy some ear drops to clear my still blocked right ear, but failing), arriving at about 12.30. We got in the queue (not too long) and progressed through the hot sun to the ticket office. We got our tickets for €9 something, and descended into the depths. After the second flight of steps, we took some photos back up the huge cave opening. We moved on, through increasingly cold and drippy walkways, taking a few photos, to the punt queue. We were lucky that they called for two as soon as we walked up, so got on a punt quickly. The punts were heavy and steel, and we got a seat to ourselves at the back. The guy operating the punt told Christian to watch the water with his camera.
We set off through the caves. I took a photo and the punt guy said 'pas le photo'. Damn. The cave walls were huge, and the ceiling was a *long* way up. The punt glided easily through the water, passing other punts, and the wall, without much clearance. Punt guy was very skilful. Sadly, he was speaking French, and while Christian could mostly follow what he was saying, I had no chance. He explained how limestone is formed.
We docked at the end of the boat trip, and a lady took over the tour. We walked up and down and around, looking at pools, stalactites, stalacmites, and all sorts of amazing formations. There were a few things I would dearly loved to have taken photos of, but she repeated that photos weren't allowed. It's quite a magical place, and I could see why divers want to submerge themselves in such interesting and beautiful puddles.
The walking part finished, and we were passed back to Mr Punt Man. We got back to the beginning with a minimum of fuss, and jumped out of the boats. On the way back to the stairs, we decided to buy a copy of the photo of us in the punt, taken by a professional on the way past. It's quite good. We went back up two lifts, and the top stairs, with the temperature increasing exponentially as we went, back into the bright sunshine.
It was 2.30 by now, and we were starving. We'd intended to buy a feast from a supermarket, but walked away from the completely touristy expensive restaurants, and found a nice, laid back bar/restaurant, with a lovely serving man. Christian ordered confit of duck, with smoked duck, salad, and chips. I ordered a salad with two kinds of smoked duck, and foie gras. Both meals were huge and extremely good, and not that expensive. We enjoyed them very much.
We headed off again, to Rocamadour. We parked near the chateau, and went into the battlements to look at the view. From there, we made our way down the fourteen stations of the cross (backwards), and I tested out my French. We got to the main square with the pilgrimage church of Notre Dame, but kept going past it as we were both craving ice cream. We found a nice cafe, and Christian had a peach melba, and I had pistacchio and white chocolate ice creams.
After that, we only had time to wander for a while, looking for presents for Sandie - settling on prunes in Armagnac - before we had to go back up. The town is quite touristy, but quaint at the same time. We went back up to look in the church (I had to cover my shoulders and shortsness), which again has beautiful windows, and then we headed off to get the funicular back up to the chateau. The drive back to St Cirq was uneventful, and we didn't get back until about 6.30.
We did what packing up we could, taking down the wind break. Christian packed the wine and dive gear. I got some more ear drops from Rachael, in an attempt to clear my right ear once and for all. It stayed blocked for ages afterwards, and I didn't have much hope for it working.
Our final dinner was lovely, with more prawns for starters, and tasty confit. Turns out that Sandie couldn't eat the prunes because she can't eat sugar (:-(), so she served them up to everyone, and kept the jar, vowing to make her own version for next year.
We said goodbye to everyone, and headed off to bed.
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