Colombages

These medieval houses are found in narrow, cobblestoned streets in the old centres of towns along the Lot, and, I assume in many other places. In Castelmoron a few of them have survived, and in Clairac, down the road a piece, we came across this wonderful example.

There was a plaque explaining that this house was built in the 15th century, constructed over the ruins of en even older house, dating back to the 13 century. It boasts some timbers salvaged from that more ancient structure. Wow!

The style is called colombages or half-timbered, and incorporates small, thin, red bricks placed at angles or in horizontal clusters. 

A long-abandoned Chateau on the way to Clairac

An invigorating cycle on a mild, sunny Sunday.

The route takes us along the river on a narrow country lane bordering the expansive horticultural land that is typical of the Lot et Garonne.

On previous occasions we noticed this abandoned Chateau, set back off the road, about 200 metres from the river.

It is such an imposing, romantic structure I can't resist but investigate.

Two large towers at the front connect to the main part of the house. You can close your eyes and hear the sound of a horse-drawn cab carrying members of an aristocratic family up the long driveway.

Tall iron gates bar the way into the Chateau proper, but a curious visitor can get up quite close. I walked around the perimeter and saw, through a dirty window, the curve of a grand staircase.

You can imagine exquisitely-dressed women descending these stairs with grace and poise.

You can picture men in full-bottom wigs occupying these many rooms, filled with Louis XV furniture.

Now, this grand residence, bearing maudlin witness to a finer age, sits mouldering and empty.

The St Livrade market

Every Friday morning the medieval streets of St Livrade fill with stalls and crowds of people.

I was very happy to see again my old chum, the Marenne oyster farmer, and make a new chum, the French-Moroccan olive seller.

The fishmonger was shuking scallops into a big tub. He was laughing at this crazy guy with a broad, toothless grin. Gesticulating, the looney claimed he was from New Zealand. Could have been!

The butcher, moving around behind a glass-fronted display of charcuterie, served a long line of serious French women clutching baskets.

There were North African women in headscarves and occasionally I caught bits of Arabic.

We intend to make this market our regular Friday outing.

early morning

The frosty pre-sunrise morning breaks over the neighbour's farmhouse and freshly ploughed field. He and his mates have been pruning the adjacent plum orchard for over a week.

The moon was out and glowed bright above the western horizon.

Luxury along the Lot

We went for another bike ride today but found the road to St Livrade a tad busy, with cars travelling much too fast for a quiet country lane.

On the way back, we took the designated bicycle route along the Lot. It was quieter and much more enjoyable.

We saw some beautiful houses with manicured lawns and gardens.

It was a mild, sunny winter's day, the soft blue sky becoming more cerulean in its reflection.

The fog and the cold ...

We are settling well into village life. Here are some photos from our outings over the past couple of days. I am happy in France, and sanguine. So far, everything is working out. With patience and empathy, we are tackling

the issues that arise.

Castelmoron sur Lot