Off to Albi today so after a light breakfast drove along the Tarn towards Albi through more breathtaking scenery darting through tunnels feeling you needed to breathe in if a car tried to pass you. Albi cathedral is very impressive and suprisingly warm despite it's fortress like appearance due to it's red brick construction and occasional gothic concessions. Inside it is absolutely breathtaking. A huge organ spans the west end of the cathedral above a huge Fr...

Up earlyish for a long walk with the dog across the ridges surrounding the valley in which Rivecave nestles. Francis is so passionate about his surroundings, stopping every few yards to describe a wild flower or soaring bird. It's very infectious. Weather is somewhat iffy though with light rain. Back to change and off to a wine tasting in Loiras near Lodev. The winery is called Domaine Jordy. We were greeted by a pleasant young Frenchman called Frederick who ha...

Up late with hangover. Coffee and pastries slowly bring me round. Weather has gone a bit changeable. Simon and Nick arrive today flying in from Stansted. Go for a long walk with Francis and Kimber. Really glad we brought our walking sticks as we clamber higher and higher above the valley for spectacular views. Simple salad lunch eaten outside and Francis goes to fetch the guys from the airport. Much excitement from Kimber as they arrive. Cups of tea and lots of...

Francis comes home from Ireland today. Spend some of the morning helping with a few of the chores but Adam seems anxious that we just relax. We take a shopping list and head off to St , while Adam has to go and get Francis from the airport as the car battery of the car that Francis leaves at the airport is flat. Apparently the radio was left on. Wonderfully twisty route to St Affrique which is probably their nearer sizeable town. Tom Tom tried to lead us up a ve...

Sleep deep and long. Woke up to brilliant fingers of sunshine infiltrating the shutters. Adam was downstairs and made good coffee and we had toast from home made bread. Extremely lazy day today. We were going to go to the supermarket but there was nothing really to get. Left over fish pie and a Roquefort salad. Roquefort is made not far from their place in the Aveyron. Off to the river in the afternoon to swim. Initial fear of currents and the rivers occupents ...