Walk around a bastide

Happy return, well worth a visit,  I recommend you discover the picturesque Castelnau de Montmiral, a remote 13 th century bastide in South West France.

Castelnau de Montmiral
Castelnau de Montmiral

 

A 13 th century bastide,  Castelnau de Montmiral was built to defend l’Occitane from the “Northern Barbarians”, in other words, the French, Plantagenets, Gascoyne and English, by order of  count Raymond VII of Toulouse.

Castelnau de Montmiral
Castelnau de Montmiral seen from the old Roman road.

 

Maybe I am biased here?

Castelnau de Montmiral
Autumn landscape, Castelnau de Montmiral

 

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A vine new time?

HRH Queen Elizabeth when visiting Cordes sur Ciel was served wine chosen from the domain de la Chanade.

Cordes sur Ciel

I feel privileged and complimented to have been asked to photograph this season’s production of wines at the Famous domain de la Chanade.

Domain de la Chanade

Actually, a story for another time maybe,  I first met the owner, Christian, in a Gaillac supermarket when we where both buying fruit and veggies

Domain de la Chanade, production,

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Arrived safe, ish

Wish you where here ?

After an 8 hr 45 minute drive I arrived safely at the house of my friend Hervé Boitel in the Tarn department.

I drove through a mixture of heavy rain and bright sunshine, yet again wishing I had a co driver.

We have to make the best of what we have don’t we?

I stopped en route at the Aire de Vendee and as it was raining in fair imitation of a tropical downpour and chilly too, I ignored my salmon and mayo sandwiches and treated myself to a nice hot meal.

My mostly very good driving record was blotted for me by my car being side swiped in heavy traffic on the Bordeaux periferique by a driver who did not stop.

That will set me back 90 € for the damage excess on my insurance …

Such is life, I’m shipshape and the car will benefit from a respray on that side.

Read moreArrived safe, ish

Driving in France

While driving South in France yesterday from Brittany, I passed Saint Emilion, one of my favourite places to paint. Saint Emilion, a great place to make paintings is for many people Saint Emilion France personified. Saint Emilion is classified as ‘une Petite cité de caractère’ is also justifiably the most famous name for red wine. … Read more

Tooo much rain?

Toooo much rain ??? I am preparing to drive South on Monday to real sunshine and sunflowers To Toulouse, ‘The Rose City’,  and the glorious Tarn, join me if you wish or follow my blogs. This charming painting was made on location in the heart of L’Occitane, the Gaillac region of southern France, a region long … Read more