Virginia - in her kitchen. She makes the nicest of meals!
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Originally uploaded by Tim Martin.

Group shot from Castlenou in French Catalonia

I am doing a few days travel with Robert and Virginia - friends from New Zealand. Virginia in the red and Robert on the far right. The other person is Sue - also visiting them from New Zealand.

Castlenou in French Catalonia Region (Near Spain)

Castle at the top was built in the 12th Century. There wasn't much else to do in the 12th Century expect build castles I guess. All around there are castles!!!!!

HI from Perpignan

Well, decided to head south rather than north. Perpignan is just by the spanish border. Plan on a little explore of the Pyrnees. (Mountains).

Plan after this is to do the atlantic coast whilst I am heading back to Paris.

Will update soon.

Tim

Thoughts from Tim

Well I have been away a week or so now. The Dordogne gets full marks for being beautiful. This morning I went to an English Speaking Church near the Dordogne river. They told me that there are 25000 english emigrants to this region. About 800 years ago, England controlled this region. This time the 'Anglais' are a bit more well received!

I am feeling that yep... country life is good, relaxing.... but time for the big city. Not sure how the next few days will pan out... but thinking of spending more time in Paris.

Always great to get your texts 021706174 .

Love and Regards :)

Tim

Beautiful Greenery visible from my Kayak trip down the Dordogne river

Very Restful

Lovely scene from the front of my Kayak

Typical Scene.

More of Le Roc Gagnec

Castle, I paddled past this day.

REMEMBER: Click on photo to make it bigger.

The village of le Roc Gagnec

Amazing what you can see from a Kayak, isn't it?

Shots from Tim's Kayak

Like the hat? Like the Chateau in the background?

REMEMBER - click on any of these photos to make them bigger.

Balloning

Balloning in the Dordogne region - not me - just got the photo though!

A view of the Dordogne from the High up village of Domme

The long and winding road...... that is the Dordogne river!

Inside the village of Rocmanadour

This is what the village looks like at the bottom of the cliff of Rocmanadour.

It is built into the Rock of the Cliff.

More of Rocmanador

Nice photo, but who is that guy in the way?

Today Leaving Forges

Wonderful visit to a 5 star - B & B. My friends Veryl and Max hosted me here for 2 days. They are in the Eastern Part of the Dordogne region.

Rocamadour

A chapel was built in 1105AD. It is on the base of a hillside. There is a walk way to the top - with the 'stations of the cross' on the way up. I walked up it, though not on my knees... which is what some of the pilgrims have done over the centuries.

Tim :)

Beaulieu

The plan for now

That is the purpose of having plans isn't it? You have any idea - and you break it. But that is fine on holiday.

I will be staying a few days with some American Friends in this Dordogne Region in South West France - Veryl & Max.

Have an update soon.

Thanks for reading :)

Tim

Thankyou people sending texts!

It has been great to receive them! Nice to have contact with people back home. It only costs me 80c for me to send you a return text. It is only your usual cost to send them to me eg 20c for Vodafone. My number is +6421706174 (0r in NZ 021706174).

Thanks again :)

Tim

Still more Sarlat - can't get too much of a good thing can you?

Again - click on image to enlarge.

More Sarlat

Click on this image to enlarge it.

Sarlat in the Dordogne Region of France

The village of Sarlat is a Renaissance village. It fell out of all interest until 1962 when someone was the wonderful pale ochre-coloured tiles in the town. Went last night - heard a street concert. Then came back in the morning for more.

This is a typical alleyway.

The view from the Chateau at Hautefort

Well I would fight for a view like this - wouldn't you?

Somebody you know at Hautefort

There are so many jolly chateau in this part of France, once must be forgiven for thinking that every village must have one.

This is the 12th century castle of Hautefort. Two brothers fort over it. And the castle was destroyed. Talk about sibling rivalry!!!
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Originally uploaded by Tim Martin.

more brantome
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Originally uploaded by Tim Martin.

This is the river town of Brantome I had a nice lunch next to the river
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Originally uploaded by Tim Martin.

My Puegeot!! Great little car
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Originally uploaded by Tim Martin.

Why go on holiday?

"he begins to die, that quits his desires" - george herbert. Life can get so pressured & hecticthat sometimes we lose sight of what is most important to us. A holiday is a chance to breath & reflect. It is amazing what comes to the surface when you give it time.

Uzerke

This village of Uzerke rests on a river - with buildings with turretts. My hotel was below the turretts on the left.
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Originally uploaded by Tim Martin.

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Originally uploaded by Tim Martin.

Abbey 3rd picture

Archway in doorway approaching Abbey

Abbey Closeup

Abbey de Royaumont

A bequtiful 13th century cisterian Abbey. It was lovely and peaceful to wqlk its gardens:

Outside St. Peters Church - English Speaking Church

Happy Guys - what do you think?

My place

My house where I am staying.

Well actually the chateau of the village of Chantilly North of Paris

Typical house Baillon #1

This is the house I passed by when I had a walk in the village .
Most houses look like that.

Madison in front of typical house in Baillon

Madison is V & M's oldest child

Vincent and Michelle - my hosts in France

Strolling the streets with them in the vilage of Baillion - north of PARIS. An amazing place - where forests abound, foxes and wild boar appear. So very, very peaceful.

Vincent My old French Pal

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Originally uploaded by Tim Martin.

Thoughts on arrival in France

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time

T.S. Elliot

I believe that Elliot thought that we get some hints of heaven in this life. The perfect spring day, the great fishing trip with dear friends etc. France does that for me. That is why I am here. I feel peaceful here. It is a kind of pre-heaven for me.

Okay Ticket Confirmed - it is getting close

Arriving in Paris on the afternoon of the 20th of August. Exciting. Can't wait to see my friends - Vincent (I flatted with him as a student in Strasbourg a long time ago) & Michelle. They live in a lovely village, just out of Paris. I am staying with them for 2 or 3 days, before taking my rental car off on a grand tour!