We were both about worn out after yesterday and as we were planning a long day driving to Cassis on the coast 1.5 hours away, we cancelled. It turned even more windy overnight. The shutters were shaking and the lid on the chimney flapping. I woke twice during the night, the first time finishing reading Le Grand Meaulnes. Written by Alain-Fournier and published in 1913, he was killed during the war in 2014. It is regarded as a modern classic, however while almost every child in France reads it when it school, few read it as adults. In the English speaking world it is largely read by adults ... older adults.

The fishmonger set up in her trailer this morning and was almost blown away. From 23c yesterday, as I write at 5.30 pm, its 12c (feels like 6c) and the wind at 42kmph. That's how it is reported daily. Always the feels like temperature. It never got over 14 today.

We eventually decided to take one of the loop trips close to home. We never got any further than Loumarin, 12km away. The Chateau didn't open till 2.30 so we wandered the old town for half an hour. Once in the Chateau, we didn't want to leave.

Originally a 12th Century fortress it was rebuilt as a castle in the late 1400s and 30 years later a new wing added. The significance is that the first building is very much Medieval and the second Renaissance. The contrast is dramatic, illustrating how dramatically architecture changed in the space of 30 years.

Every room and every courtyard was stunning. One of the best historic buildings we have visited and largely because it is so understated in terms of presentation.

It was a ruin in the early 1900's when an industrialist bought it and began restoration. He was killed in a car accident in the 1920's and he bequeathed it to the Académie des Sciences, Agriculture, Arts et Belles Lettres under condition that it should be transformed into a trust, which would support young artists.

Part of the support of young artists is that in summer, the oldest part of the Chateau is turned over to artists in residence. We think that is starting around now for the summer season. There is a piano recital on Saturday evening (Bach, Mozart, Chopin,Granados, Bartok and Brahms) and we've booked seats.

I'm posting lots of photo in place of a description. If a picture saves a 1,000 words, you should be grateful.

At 4.30 we headed home where Ches cooked our Rabbit. Based on Sarah Chases's recipe for Rabbit & Prune's, we went with Rabbit and Apricots. She sauteed the diced smoked pancetta, then sauteed the eschallotes and garlic, then browned the bunny bits, added them all together and included the apricots then covered with frontignan and chicken stock. Slow cooked for an hour then added baby potatoes for another 15min. YUM! Served with new very thin spectacular asparagus.