On day three we took off in the pouring rain to explore the hillside towns of the Lot River. Set the GPS for Cahors (beautiful old bridge there) then turned east and traveled along the Lot visiting a number of ancient sights. There are many prehistoric caves in this area but we've seen that kind of thing before. What with all the rain I couldn't see paying to go underground and get dripped on! The sites above ground were so quaint. There were houses built over diversions in the river with water wheels. Some of them still in use.
The beauty of this area, really, is that you don't have to go to a recommended site to see something that grabs you. The countryside is full of unique vistas. Every village you drive through is quaint. Having a GPS gets you in to all kinds of back country places that you never would have found otherwise. A couple of times we have taken pictures of the roads PG has taken us on. Thanking God there was no opposing traffic. Yesterday he took us to an address that was actually a cow pasture about 4 km from our destination. Guess I set him wrong but he has such a nice voice!
Back to rain-a-Lot.... We stopped for lunch in a town called Saint-Cirq-Lapopie... hereto referred to as Popeye. The rain gave up for the time we were there which was great. This town goes straight up from the valley.... I mean straight up. There is no way you could put on weight living in these places even with all the bread they eat. Narrow passageways and many (many) stairs give way to quaint medieval houses and beautiful views. The food was good too!
Only took 150 pictures today which could be because of the rain. Most of the experience was in the driving. The road took us through tunnels and under rock outcrops....up and down mountain roads to yet another amazing place. It was a day of just soaking in the beauty and getting soaked in return. No complaints.
The last stop was Rocamadour. Now this city is actually built over and under the rock outcrop. A picture you will probably have seen in brochures of France. By the time we arrived it was late in the day and the rain had come back with a vengence. We got quite a few pictures from a distance. May go back to walk through it another time.
It is so nice to have a base to come back to... put he soup on and kicked back to finish my book.
Ahhh......
 So this is now an addition to the blog above (that I had to cut and paste because of the lack of wifi).  Today the sun shone so off we went in our shirtsleeves to revisit Rocamadour. That is after a quick trip to the local village market for more vegatables and a look around.
Took the senic route along the Dordogne River on the road less traveled. Good choice as it turns out. The road was windy and narrow following along the peaceful river. There were no trucks using this route and the crazy drivers were all at work. The only problem was the odd travel trailer. Saw a motorhome pulling a trailer along those roads.... he has better blood pressure than we do for sure!
Passed many beautiful little chateaus, hill villages, even the odd chateau or fort that wasn't on our map. Then, at Rocamadour we walked and climbed, took pictures and ate ice creaam in the sun. This town is on a pilgrimage route which made it pretty interesting. We walked down the path of the stations of the cross... visited the chapels of meditation and then climbed down the 250 steps to the town. After doing the same in reverse we were ready for the leisurely trip home.
But ... as a diversion... I am sitting outside the McDonalds in Sarlat updating this blog. It is good to know this American institution has free wifi all over the country.... and all that without having to give in to a Big Mac.
Tomorrow.... we might go north or just stay in the area and go for a walk?!