Dordogne Retreat - a farmhouse tale

It has been a year since the last update to the website, doesn't time pass quickly. After the great improvements we made to the house in 2010, 2011 was a bit disappointing and we unfortunately didn't get the chance to spend much time in France. This was due to a building project in the UK and some work that came along unexpectedly!

We only managed to spend thee and a half weeks in the Dordogne. It should have been longer but we happened to pick the only bad patch of weather (end of July) that they had between April and October so returned home 2 weeks early on our summer trip.

Hopefully we can spend more time in France in 2012 and make more progress on our 10 year plan.

One project that has kept me busy is a series of video podcasts called 'A House In France' that I do with Lloyd Arrow. Lloyd and I have known each other for a long time and he is now having a house built in the Languedoc. On the podcast we share hints and tips about owning property in France. You can find all the episodes on the TTFN TV website.

With five weeks being spent in the house during July and August we were able to complete a couple of projects and start others! We started painting the main bedroom (that will be the TV/Guest room eventually) at Easter and during this trip finished it off.

It was not just case of slapping on some paint as the dado rail had to be removed (which had been plastered up to, so the wall had to be filled) and filling the gaps at the wall/floorboard join and replacing the skirting board. So finishing off this corner of the room took 3 days! 

We are pleased with the results and moving the furniture around has made the room feel a lot bigger.

Late one afternoon we strolled around the local lanes enjoying some Autumn sunshine along with the local beef cows.

 They certainly look happy and contented, unlike our local UK cows that always look a little on the scrawny side. Our neigbour keeps 60 head on 60 hectares, about the right level he tells us!

We have been South to Salat on previous visits, but it is only a few kilonetres further to get to the mediaeval city of Domme, perched high on a rocky outcrop with commanding views over the Dordogne Valley.

At the top of the main street is the Church - not particularly big, but with this typical (and I thought splendid) tryptych above the Altar.

 This picture shows the main Street leading up from the first car park up to the square at the top of the hill.  There are a number of restaurants there, with prices that increse as you get nearer the top of the town and the inpressive viewpoints!

And here is one of the most impressive views of all!

 One other attraction is a natural cave formation that contains some spectacular stalactites and stalagmites - unfortunately photography was nt permitted, but for 8 euros, worth a vist!  The cave exit is below thespot where this photo was taken - a lift brings you up to this observation platform from the cave exit.

 There is quite a lot of history associated with Domme, including a Templar Kniights connection (Dan Brown fans take note) although we didn't get into that historical aspect on this visit!