Cordes sur Ciel

Another page of photos, this time from the the fortified, hilltop village of Cordes sur Ciel. It dates back to 13C and was a Cathar stronghold. Here, the inhabitants prospered and evidence of this is seen today in large town houses built around an inner courtyard.

Pont Valentre

Another in the series from SW France, this time, it shows views of Pont Valentre, a 14thC fortified bridge. It guards the river crossing into Cahors, shown in the rest of the photos.

Beynac

I'm still sorting through my photos of SW France. Here is a page of photos showing the 12 Century "Chateau de Beynac". It is still inhabited and is maintained, but has been left un-modernised.

La Roque-Gageac

Another of the beautiful French villages. This is La Roque-Gageac, situated on the Dordogne. We went for a ride on one of the traditionally shaped boats and saw some of the troglodyte dwellings.

More from France

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie

Such a pretty village, perched high on the hill above the River Lot. The views were stunning

Sarlat

We vsited on market day. It is a fine town with much to see. We managed to find some quiet streets away from the crowds.

South West France

Just back from a wonderful trip to S.W. France.
Here is a composite of Collonges La Rouge. It looked like something from a fairy tale.

The next one is from Rocamadour. This village certainly has the wow factor. It is perched on a cliff rising from the Dordogne valley and extends several levels down. At the top is a chateau, the next level down  is a church and monastic buildings, and below that (over 200 steps), the village shops and dwellings. 

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Studland to Swanage.

From time to time, we enjoy the walk from Studland to Swanage, passing Old Harry Rocks. Today the stunning views were clear and spring flowers brightened the grassland. Skylarks were singing and the only downside was that this walk seems a little longer each time we do it.

Wimborne Folk Festival

Yesterday we paid our annual visit to the Wimborne Folk Festival. Drums beat and ankle bells jingle; everywhere there is movement and colour.

Isle of Wight

We have just returned from a short break on the Isle of Wight. There was still a bit of snow around, but we visited Osborne House (home of Queen Victoria) and Carisbrooke Castle where donkeys demonstrate the treadmill which provided water for the castle.

Hello Folks

Just a quick post to say hello and welcome to SBQ (Paintedgal) and to Elaine. I don't know either of you, but I'm pleased you have come visiting:)

Over at DSP, I have posted a new challenge "Christmas Hamper" All who contribute to the hamper will receive the full hamper later, and I hope that it will be fun taking part. This is not just a scrapping/digital challenge.

Weekend away in Cambridge

It was a windy weekend with trees being blown over. Here are a few views around Cambridge taken between the showers.

Busy Day

My busy day again, so just a quick post to say welcome to Mary (that's two Marys here now) and to Isabella and Nancy.

I've taken my Christmas "Elf Yourself" video off now- I'll make another next year.

My Busy Day

Just popping into my blog to say "hi" to Derfiss, A1nnie and Tora- thanks for coming to look at my blog.

Tuesday is my "volunteering time" and is always the busiest day of the week. I spend the morning helping to cook for about 80 needy people- many of them homeless, and in the afternoon I run computer starter sessions at the local library.

RNLI Memorial

Hi Diane, thanks for coming to follow my blog:)

Last month, the RNLI opened a new memorial to lifeboatmen lost in service. We visited it this morning and admired the modern steel depiction of a boat and drowning man. The names of all those who lost their lives, are inscribed around the base. I took a photo of the section showing someone who lives on in family recollections.

Christchurch

We went shopping this morning. That sounds a trifle dull, but not when it included a walk around the ancient town of Christchurch. We went past the Priory which has the reputation of being the longest parish church in England. The present building was started in 1094.

The photos show the Priory, Norman House ruins, Mill (mentioned in the 1085 Domesday Book) and other old buildings.

1066 and all that!

Hi Roberta, Lisa and Antoinette. Thanks for coming to my blog.

We went to Sussex for the weekend and visited the town of Battle. 1066 is the one date which all English children seem to remember. Prince William of Normandy came across the Channel to defeat King Harold II to claim the English crown as his own. Soon after, he built an Abbey on top of Senlac Hill where the battle had been fought. We walked around the fields with hand-held audio recordings and learnt exactly what happened where. The abbey itself was very atmospheric.

Car Boot Sale

Two followers to my blog already! Thanks Fulltime RVer and Auddymay.
X  <- that marks the spot where I would put one of those little yellow smiley things if only I knew how to do it!
This morning I should have been at church. 99 Sunday mornings out of 100 I would have been; but today I helped at a car boot sale in aid of our local soup kitchen. Usually the cupboards are well stocked after the harvest offerings, but this year, people have given smaller packets of food and less of the more expensive protein items, but oh so much pasta. We made a reasonable sum of money, but seemed to take more stuff home than we started with.

9th October 2009

I have never before felt the need to create a blog. Now, though, I'm about to start a course which will use blogs as a means of communication, so here I am doing what I never thought I would do.