Staying put for a few days











We found a gorgeous little village to park up in for a few days! We all needed a break from being on the road and from having to pack up all our gear every day.
We drove a good 8 hours the day after we said goodbye to Daniel and Glen. Josh had done some research on the place he knew had a river for kayaking and some good bike paths. We didn't quite reach it that night but thought that it wouldn't be long the next day before we reached our destination.
Ha! We were rather wrong about that and it ended up being almost a whole other day driving there. There was a roadblock because of a cycle race and so we didn't get to our spot till dinner but it was well worth the wait!
The village is a tiny one but all medieval and in that yellow/creamy coloured stone I mentioned in the last post. Not a modern building in sight - though inside the old ones it has all been done up nicely. There was even a sweet little library where we got some schoolwork done yesterday morning. Though no internet sadly. Though there were some English books for Noa to enjoy!

Our camping spot

There are many caves around here and some have very, very old cave drawing in them.
We cycled to the river Dordonge, which was just down a little lane. It is sooo very beautiful - a lot like the Motueka river actually! It's quite wide and silky on the surface but has a swift current. It is surrounded but thick, lush European forest- beech, oak, alder, rowan, and wild figs! Sometimes the banks are massive towers that loom up high, scattered with caves and many swallows and ravens nest. The birds kept us as constant companions as we made our way downstream. We didn't need any music to keep us company. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day too, and when we rounded a bend and came across a huge castle on the top of a hill it was the epitome of lovely. Again, I was so grateful that I wasn't paddling for my life because of the English/French or Vikings were after me! We were just able to enjoy the beauty this time luckily.
Apparently, many of the caves on the Dordonge hid villagers from such attacks. They lifted themselves up on platforms to escape the raids on their villages.
Our lunch stop

And our lunch! It was getting spelly in our fridge so we thought we'd better
enjoy it.

Today we biked from our little village to Sarlat, about an hours ride through an old train track and some of the most mature and mystical forest I've seen so far. It was covered with fern, ivy and wild flowers. There were big limestones formations that are known locally as the 'giant's cauldrons', because they look like big pots.
We walked into town after that cause the road was a bit dangerous for Noa who is still a bit unstable on the bike. We found a library where we have all enjoyed sitting for the afternoon doing school, and I can finally write some more on this blog. The library is in a very skinny old house that has many small but elaborate rooms that once used to be a sea merchant who donated his library and house to become a public one. Wonderful!
On the Dordonge river yesterday. The town in the distance is one
that you may have seen in many paintings. I think it is Beynac.

Comments

  1. Fellow Riwakaite22 May 2018 at 12:44

    oh this is glorious but just whetting the appetite for more!!! one of the wonders of travel is that magical little surprise that appears from out of nowhere it just pops out at you as you round the next corner xxx to all. great to see you chilling for a day or so

    ReplyDelete
  2. eugenie23 May 2018 at 03:14

    The smellier the better! Enjoy the cheese and Dordogne :-) So lovely to see your photos. I wish I was there with you. xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jeff25 May 2018 at 03:52

    Love the summaries guys I'm always amazed at what you guys always do..the adventurous energy...will be so many great memories. Lots of love from us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glenn25 May 2018 at 04:30

    Such amazing photos so beautiful and the colours. ... glad to seeing you parked up and enjoying the surroundings. Take time to smell the wild flowers :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. eugenie26 May 2018 at 16:30

    Have you got someone for term 3 for your house? There is an other Steiner family looking for a place. Can I give them your email address?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bec27 May 2018 at 04:57

    Your trip is looking amazing! Florian and I will be in Lyon/St Ettienne about the 8th of June but perhaps you’ll be done with France by then.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unknown29 May 2018 at 10:25

    Whit you're beatiful pictures whe can follow you're adventures. Great to see

    ReplyDelete

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