I nearly forgot…on the way through Tonneins, the town is decorated with, well, I’m not sure really. Lots of toy-art/paintings/sculptures. They are scattered about, on roundabouts, verges, central reservations, on the front of buildings. Little sack people, made of toy parts.

A good idea for rainy days and restless children!

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It was cold yesterday. Cold and windy and miserable.

And what does any self-respecting English family do on a cold, windy, miserable day? We go for a picnic.

It was all part of our visit to see Nana. She is at the Agen Hospital, quite a distance away. So we packed some eggy sandwiches, a flask of hot chocolate and some Agen prunes.

After the visit, we made our way to the canal that runs through that part of the city, found a bench, pulled up our hoods and started our picnic. We did get some funny looks from the passing joggers and cars, which we found highly amusing. We could imagine them saying….’Bet they’re English!’. And we didn’t disappoint. We finished just as the errant pigeons arrived to polish off the crumbs and set off for Aiguillon.

Aiguillon is at the confluence of the Garonne and the Lot. Stunning it is too. As you cross the bridge over the Lot, there is a spectacular view of the weir and two derelict mills. With the rain swelling the river recently, the level is high and the river wide and fast. Quite breathtaking.

 And it’s possible to get quite close!

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I keep reading in the news about the Asian killer hornets, Vespa velutina, that are devastating the bee population of Aquitaine.

The hornets escaped from a consignment of Chinese pottery in 2004 and have been spreading North, enjoying the warm climate. Fears are that the hornets will eventually make their way up through France to England.

Although they can give a nasty sting, it is their ability to completely devastate the native bee population, that is the major concern. They ransack the bee hive, devouring the bees and feeding the larvae to their own.

Their football shaped hives are cropping up all over the forests of Aquitaine and are beginning to worry the bee-keepers of France, who’s honey production is already being challenged by pesticides and the long, hot weather.

At this stage, I am not sure what is being done about this. Do they need to be reported if you see them? Is there a programme of irradication in force? Is it advisable to try to tackle one of their hives yourself? Are they swottable? I must admit, I think I would avoid them at all cost.

Here is a little information about hornets from Wikipedia. I was right, they’re not to be messed with!

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I found this article today doing some background research on the Lot et Garonne. It’s quite an old article but very interesting. In fact, I want to pack a bag and go exploring now, having read it! Having seen the latest Ryanair offer, it’s quite feasible too.

I have been staying at Beauregard for 20 plus years now and it is a joke in the family that I never get to visit any places! Friends and family talk of trips to Domme, Rocamadour, the beach, the Pyrenees, Bordeaux. I have been nowhere! A few day trips to the Lascaux caves, Ste. Foy La Grande and Marmande.

I think the problem is that when you go to the same place, you become familiar with it and know that you can do the touristy-thing whenever you like. Which in my case, just hasn’t happened. Don’t get me wrong, I have really enjoyable holidays at Beauregard. I love pottering about, sun-bathing, swimming, chilling, reading my books; it’s all I need to have a great time. My motto seems to be, ‘We’ll do the trip tommorrow!’  

After all, I’ve lived in London for most of my life and have never been to Westminster Abbey…. for the same reasons , I would guess. 

And with the imminent move, I am really looking forward to doing the ‘touristy-thing’ and reporting back in Beauregard the Blog!

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