The smoothest flight you could ask for, I don't think there was even one rattle of turbulence. Thank you, Turkish Airlines. Arrived in Istanbul for a 5 hour layover, so lots of hot water with lemon & LOTS of Turkish Delight tastings, & we were then back on board for the 3 hour flight to Bordeaux.
Arrived to 39C & Alan & Caroline waiting for us. How wonderful to see them. Alan is so much like my Dad, it's like having him back.
Just like our Sat-Nav, Caroline's took us the 'scenic' way home - but how scenic it was! Driving through field upon field of sunflowers, their noble heads all facing the sun. Acres of vineyards, dotted with low lying buildings of stone & wood. We passed one of the churches that was part of the pilgrim trail, with four statues of pilgrims on the roundabout. Apparently there is a trail done each year, following the original path.
Chatting all the way, we arrived 2 hours later to Beaumont Cottages - Alan & Caroline's summer residence & holiday accommodation business. Very provincial - a converted barn & stables makes up 5 gites & a music room, as well as 2 more houses, one of which is let for holiday makers. Surrounded by sunflower fields & farmland that stretches to the sea, it has been their slice of paradise for the last 18 years. Alan & Caroline are both accomplished musicians, playing, writing, & teaching. They held annual music camps or hosted travelling musicians. Alan played for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & did the music for BBC's Henry VIII series, playing medieval instruments called the sackbut & serpent amongst other well known achievements. Their 4 children are also well known musicians who play throughout England & Europe, & Caroline's daughter, Emma has played with her ensemble at Buckingham Palace. They both speak fluent French & Alan speaks Russian.
After a G&T with cheese & biscuits, Scotti went for a snooze & I had a swim in their gorgeous pool & relaxed before dinner. Caroline made one of Nana's recipes - pork in puff pastry, which we ate outside. It doesn't get dark until after 10pm, so we sat watching the sun go down with a Saint-Emilion red. Off exploring tomorrow.