What a wonderful place

Well, it's Thursday, September 29th and we have spent the last three days in a very special place, Les Trois Collines Guesthouse (B and B) in St. Cybranet, France in the Dordogne Valley. This valley is the location for castles and chateaus famous for their role in French history from 10th to 20th centuries. Began as forts for crusaders (Richard the Lion Hearted) and fortresses for the 100 Years' War (France and England) for control of France.  You can see the B and B at www.L3Cdordogne.nl.  The owners, Eric and Andre are incredibly hospitable. We have been made to feel at home. Eric is a phenomenal chef and we were invited to dinner (5 course meal) the first night. Wow....In the process of our stay, we have befriended some Dutch visitors and have enjoyed the time getting acquainted. That's what makes B and B's such fun... Meet lots of interesting people.

Chef Eric (left front) and Andre (front right)

So to begin at the beginning (after we left Mont St. Michel last Saturday). we stayed in Fougeres (below) at Hotel Balzac and ventured south the next morning. Along the way we happened upon these go cart races. This is serious stuff.... 70-80 miles per hour top speed. This is a final masters' race (31 years old and over) for a place in the national championship go carts races of France ( this year's international championship was in Abu Dubai. 

Making a hot left!

Sometimes the magic works and sometimes it doesn't.

Then is was off on the open road and lunch in the woods. Yes, jamon, frommage, wine and a "cute" American lady.

On Sunday we arrived in Moncontour and spent the night in the farm country of Central France (Le Grand Saule) owned by an English couple from the Midlands. We saw miles and miles of open space with churches and castles arising in the distances such as St John Maigny near Moncontour. 

Will continue from here later and share our travels from Moncontour to St. Cybranet via Oradour sur Glane (town in which all inhabitants were murdered by the Das Reich division, SS immediately after D-Day. It was retribution for both the landings and activities of the Marquis (French resistance prominent in the area). More to come in our next episode. Bye for now.