August 2025

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1st - a VERY loud start for the month. Two fighters from the Armée de l'air flew along the river gorge so fast that they were above the next village before the guys could take a photo. A nature photographer did get a shot some months prior (a Mirage, retired by France in 2024). The guys believe that they saw two new Rafales fly by at this height. 3rd- Sunday Market day breakfast And Paulie found a nice dress for Great-niece Jess's wedding in Australia the next month. Meanwhile in Adelaide, Olivia and pals created a body installation to note that it was 10 weeks to the Melbourne marathon
Later in the day in the village the traditional farming event, the Fête des Battage, kicked off. See the AthoCinema link for a video of last year's event The parade commenced... ...with traffic control care of the local flic. .
All of the farming family - daughters, sons, grandkids - took pride in their participation Paulie got an overview of the hardware by Farmer François Left past Paulie and Stephen's pad .
Down the lane behind the house Bessy relaxes Hat makers from Caussade set up shop. And outside Paulie & Stephen's (and using their power) a Moroccan lass sets up a paella and Olive stand A hay bailer circa 1930
VIDEO- driven by a tractor. VIDEO- passing La Cachette Things quieten down and the guys headed back to their garden. Paulie caught up with some sewing Pal Storm arrived up so Stephen moves to the corner
, 4th - in Oxford James and Keno are not blessed with the weather Paulie & Stephen enjoyed. A quick rest before apero with neighbour Hans .
And then Julia and Michael arrived for dinner 6th - Stephen went for a cycle up to La Corniche. The view is always amazing Across the road and the Bonnette stream the Romany arrive for this year's school holiday entertainment .
. Stephen joined Paulie in the corner but the deck chair was not up to it (later fixed when a new drill arrived) 7th - August is summer holidays and the village population swells. As does the temperature outside
The village committe arranged an evening meal in the newly repaired Place des Moines by the river Paulie reserved a place as Stephen waited for Larroque pals Rosie and Robin to join them Luckily Stephen brought a Provence rosé - their local drop was a bit rough 9th - Paulie headed out for a 20 km cycle.
through fields . And past Fenyrols. To return trimphantly home
10th - the Sunday market was overflowing But Alice and Storm were able to escape the madness for a quieter lunch in the La Cachette garden The heat wave continued To escape the heat, Paulie and Stephen pedalled 5 minutes away to a quiet part of l'Aveyron for a dip at 7pm/19h00
They did this for about 3 evenings. . . .
And then home Later in the evening around 10, the busy village committee put on a great gig- concert and fireworks. See the AthoCinema link for a summary video of the night. . The video will show how excited this kid (on father's shoulders) got during the fireworks. An interpretive dance of sorts
At midnight Stephen looked out the bedroom window at the beautiful moon 11th - 7 hours later Stephen jumped on his bike for the 20km pedal to Caylus and back. Paulie decided to head the other way and discovered a very quiet village after a big night. Her favourite forest path up in the hills near Grotte de Bosc
Stephen noticed where Paulie was on his phone so he headed up the mountain to Grotte de Bosc from the Caylus road to surprise Paulie. . They both cycled home together meeting locals. Said locals seemed unimpressed
Home tasks. 13th - up what the Dynamic Duo call "one Tree Hill" Stephen also had home tasks- this bench had lasted over 10 years in the open but the timber needed replacing. And then staining with an oil based solution
14th- a pedal up the Caussade Road and then the Montricoux Road and down to Cazals and home. A misty morning in the valley Whilst closing the shutters to manage the day's heat, Paulie noticed a strange blob on the stairs. Turns out the guys rudely woke a chauve-souris sleeping behind the shutter. He was placed in the area under the stairs, and the door was left open that night for him to go insect hunting. At last! The fig tree started to deliver fruit each day. 15th - Bordeaux pals Nick Traynor, Sonia, and daughter Anna arrived for the long weekend. They had just retuned from 2 weeks in Scotland for a birthday bash with family. Brother Owen, Denise, and Ronnie were there from Brisbane as well.
It seems longer screws were needed for the deckchair. After a BBQ lunch in the garden, the team headed for sturdier seating at Café de la Halle . 16th - As the sun rose, Stephen headed towards Varen on the bike and caught a number of nice sunrise views
. Good old "one tree hill". Real name- Chem du Terrible which is not terrible at all. Heading up the hill on Route de Montricoux Stephen spots a Bambi Who didn't like his Hi-Vis cycling jersey as the yellow reminded him of the Winter hunters/chasseurs.
. Back in time to see the guests have breakfast in the garden It was time to escort Team Bordeaux guests down l'Aveyron .
. Sonia and young Anna were pros Stopping by the fresh water spring. Chilly .
And beautiful . VIDEO: a rapid ending before lunching at La Guinguette de Cazals 17th - Paulie and Stephen went for a morning cycle up to La Corniche
. Meanwhile on Grange beach, Olivia and Cam enoyed the fresh sea air 19th - It was time for Stephen to tackle getting up the mountain (Roc d'Anglars) to the lookout by the Comms tower Up he went
And along the plateau Destination reached 20th - Paulie headed off on her morning route Later that day the duo walked up Rue Droite when their pal the Maine Coon Mauler prepared to pounce from up high (actually a sweetie)
Stephen discussed broken pottery with ceramics guru Marie-Do. No. Paulie had not started her own drinks company 21st - the guys hadn't seen pal Yolande for weeks so a dinner catch up starting with Viet rice rolls was arranged A garden rearrangement
23rd- Olivia headed to Melbourne to catch up with pal Birthday Gal Lauren Pretty Coburg Stephen pedaled though the sunrise in the gorge .
Stephen got to the area below Penne and then headed back to the "Saint A", . . 24th - Paulie sent a wee story to young great-nieces about her pal Miss Mouse and friends
Picking figs And herbs Olivia had a good catch up up with Lauren The duo in France headed to dinner at Yolande's farm
. . Where the light was lovely .
The wine & food was also lovely . And on the way home as the light faded Bambi and friend waved goodbye 25th - Stephen cycled up Grotte de Bosc and then around the plateau and down to Chateau du Cas. Paulie seperately cycled up the mountain an hour later. Spot the ballooners.
Birthday boy James and Keno (just offered a job in Whitehall) had a free day care of a Bank Holiday so they walked along the Thames Olivia chated with Paulie just as Stephen opened a video chat with the hiking Oxford duo So they decide to digitally get together where it was mentioned that an offer for the Brisbane home had just been made. 26th - The guys were woken by a 6am call from nephew Will (also their real estate agent). The offer had increased as requested and Paulie & Stephen said yes. They worked on Yolande's farm and digitally signed the contract when it was tools down.
So before the French team finished delivering the the second load of firewood to Yolande's village house, the Adelaide support team celebrated in their evening . . Stephen called in at the supermarche to match them. But it would have to wait until his evening to open it.
Yolande bought the guys lunch as a thanks for helping at the farm and to celebrate the sale. With short notice, and after a light bit of afternoon rain, a celebration and a farewell "garden party" was in order. The champagne was ready and the fig tree offered up a few nibbles. Cheers
Dinner was nearly ready A learning moment explained the virtues and techniques of Weber cooking Contract to settle October 10th. 27th - with only a few days left en France, there are chores to do.
But there was still time to party. Maïr and Marie-Do have a gathering with a musician pal they met in Thailand some years prior when they lived in Laos The neighbours gathered And the music began
The local vibe was well received by Paulie & Stephen. See video snapshots in "AthoCinema" 29th - a morning pedal. Paulie went up to La Corniche 30th - one last cycle up to La Corniche whilst Paulie did some yoga The last evening was spent at a vernissage for a local artist (to right) . Her musician husband offered the background music
A few locals turned up for the wine 31st- the crew turned up to say goodbye. Storm dropped the guys at Caussade station . .
With a 7:20 am flight in the morning the guys decided to stay at the airport hotel. Bright and early the next morning they headed to Heathrow and then Oxford for 2 nights.