Robertthebob's PhotoBlog

Condom / Castelnau-sur-l'Auvignon / Golfech

2009-12-14T19:10:42Z

I have been to and blogged about Condom many times now - so not much to add - except that I like it there! One of the joys of being on your own is that if you see a sign for somewhere and it looks interesting you can just go off there! And so it was that I found the hamlet of Castelnau-sur-l'Auvignon which turned out to have a rather interesting history. (see below) On next towards my final destination for the day - Valence d'Agen - it is a lovely part of the world this but it does have one big disadvantage: The Golfech Nuclear Power Plant. This is located between Agen (30 km downstream) and Toulouse (90 km upstream) on the Tarn River, from where it gets cooling water. The station has two operating nuclear reactors that are both Pressurized water reactors and two cooling towers that get their water from the Tarn, but it only takes water to compensate for evaporation - doesn't put it back in. Still makes me nervous! Castelnau-sur-l'Auvignon During the Second World war the bastide of Castelnau was a Resistance centre, being the base of the 'Wheelwright' network of British Special Operations in the area and which was run by a man called George Starr. One of the team,Yvette Cormeau, sent a record-breaking 400 wireless messages back to England, and another member of the network, Anne-Marie Walters, one of their couriers and then aged just 20, later wrote a book, Moondrop over Gascony, relating her experiences. After D-day the local Resistance, reinforced by Spanish Guerrilleros from over the border, came out into the open and harried the SS Das Reich Panzer division so much that they were forced to divert their attention away from Normandy and the beaches to deal with trouble nearer at hand. Castelnau was attacked and totally destroyed by the German division but not without a furious battle with the Resistance and Spanish Guerrilleros. Stone from the ruined castle was used to rebuild the village. Today it is hard to imagine what went on there - but it is a poignant reminder of dreadful times not all that long ago.

Nérac

2009-12-14T09:17:53Z

Nérac is a pleasant town which lies on both sides of the River Baise. I went because there are some interesting medieval buildings, especially around the Vieux Pont. This is old English territory! Henry IV built a Chateau here, part of which is still standing. I enjoyed my visit and have added it to my list of places I will look at when I do fulfill my ambition and move to France. I liked the vibe - I loved the river and the old houses. A nice typical spot in SW France.

Gastroblog!

2009-12-13T19:12:19Z

Ever since I came back from France I have been on a diet! Here is part of the reason why! One day's meals - lunch and dinner. Lunch was average - and averagely priced too - so no complaints. The Enfants by the way were just a little bit camp - shades of La Gage aux Folles if you ask me! Dinner was oustanding! A regional menu in the restaurant of "Le Tout Va Bien" a charming hotel in Valance d'Agen. the chef Lucien Boldron is a disciple of the great Auguste Escoffier and it certainly shows. Tis was magical cooking and I am only sorry that I only got to eat there once!

Le Chateau / Agen

2009-12-12T22:36:57Z

Claude had gone back to London by now and I was staying in the Chateau with her father and brother. The first time I have done so on my own. But before too long I was off on my adventures - it was a glorious winter's day (and I wanted to escape Claude's scary aunt!) My first stop was Agen - famous for Prunes and not much else! But I like Agen, it has a good vibe and seems everything that a typical French town of its size ought to be! Agen is on the river Garonne and was once -especially when the English ruled the area back in the 13th century a thriving port. It is also on the Canal des Deux Mers joining the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. This is a fascinating canal which I must travel along one day - it was to be a shortcut between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, avoiding the long sea voyage around hostile Spain, and lots of pirates, and a trip that in the 17th century required a full month of sailing! But it never quite took off and after a draught a few yearsback seems only to be used by pleasure boats. Fascinating!

Les Canards du Chateau / Montaigu de Quercy

2009-12-11T13:16:31Z

No blog about the Chateau can be complete without some pictures of the proud family of ducks that think they own the entire place! here they are! Next - a few pictures from the nearby town of Montaigu de Quercy, which sits proudly atop a hill and is OK - but not as nice as Montcuq. Its origins, which date from the twelfth century, lie in a castle built on the site by Raymond of Toulouse about whom I have been reading a lot lately as I continue to explore my interest in the Cathars and the extraordinary things that happened around then. There is a strong sense of history in Montaigu de Quercy, and the old town is full of pretty half-timbered houses and narrow, steeply rising streets. But it seems lifeless to me and unlike Cahors - or Montcuq does not make me feel that I could move there and settle in! Especially as the not-so-old town is pretty awful!

Le Moulin de Bagor

2009-12-11T08:58:49Z

Another walk with my faithful companion, Noireaud! This time I went to a nearby windmill - lovingly restored but not used. And from there you get great views of the rolling countryside. Followed by lunch!

Cahors

2009-12-08T07:30:06Z

Back to my recent stay in France and a short trip into Cahors to do some shopping.

A Sunday in Camden - with lots of temptations!

2009-12-06T20:08:13Z

An afternoon trip to Camden Lock seemed a good idea - a walk and maybe some Christmas shopping. But I had forgotten that the place is just solid with food stalls. And I am on a diet ! (I have lost 5 lbs and am delighted!) What a trial it was. But I succeeded! One cup of coffee and no food - hurray!

Trilogy

2009-12-06T19:53:17Z

I am posting three pictures that I took today. I took several more but only these seem usable. I am also about to start watching the first film of the Millennium Trilogy by Steig Larsson. I have now read books one and two twice and am about to start the third for the second time. But the main thing about these pictures is my state of mind! One of my friends wrote on his facebook today "This is it. This is the time. This is when everything changes. I can feel it in me marrow....." and that's certainly how I feel. I am also having a series of odd coincidences occur - things from the past reappear. Even last night there were musical coincidences - things I played as a schoolboy. So it is a strange time. And I cant but help reflect on some things. Particularly on the way people manipulate people - how that has affected my life. How it affects other peoples lives. I can see it now because of what happened to me. But do others see it? Are they blind to what is happening? I often wonder why it was I let myself get into the mess I got into. How I let myself be manipulated both before and after. How it was it took me so long to escape. And now there is this new scenario - which I will not commit to print just yet....... More anon I'm sure.

Regarde! - un escargot parfait

2009-12-05T13:45:05Z

I've never been much into Macros but the little camera I inherited from Terry L has made me more curious. And what better to do on my ramble round the fields of Soussis than try some out!