MONDAY 14TH MAY 2012

Monday dawns on another lovely day in Rouffignac St Crenin. Trip to the postoffice this morning for stamps followed by the boulongerie for breakfast. We were diverted to the 2nd shop as the other one was closed, with one shop open obviously all the croissants were gone, so we had the last 2 pane du chocolat and ESCARGOT RAISON EL YUMMO. Both were awesome. Our mission today was to find our way to Grotte de Rouffignac (a cave with ancient paintings), about 6 km from the centre. It was a great walk through some amazing fairy-tale country side.

One man with some sort of cutting device had managed to cut most of the surrounding fields already and we saw him on our journey out. Very industrious! There was very little at the caves except for facilities and the small office and souvenirs which were housesd in the cave entrance. Luckily we caught the last tour of the morning with a classfull of young French children and 4 of their teachers. We were able to take the last 2 seats on a small open electric train which was the our transport into the depths. Our French was able to make sense of some of the commentary, and he even managed to tell us some things in English.  The drawings of Mammoths, horses, bison, wooly rhinocerous and ibex were quite incredible. They were officially discovered in 1956, before then many locals managed to grafitti the cavern roof and some paintings with their candles over many centuries.

The walk back seemed quicker, and we found another shortcut through a lane with many Cherry trees. Soon we will know all the lanes. it really is such a nice little place. The little restaurant nearby has reopened this morning with the window boarded up and happy customers munching on their dejunier. Another day in the life here. The workmen next door have almost finished, it is all very quiet there. 

An afternoon nap beckoned after lunch which consisted of the usual local fare, again, after which another walk to confirm a dead end road nearby that lead to some dog kennels and a lady owner who politely advised that it was private property and the road was "fini". Tres bien and a turnaround lead us to a hamlet called La Daymarie which we can see clearly accross the paddocks.
The roadside cherry trees are so much more full and the fruit is ripe but too high to reach. :{ Thinking that the road might go too far for today and with Caroline feinting hunger we turned around and headed back via the secret lane to the creeperie in the village. The owner made us the required items which we scoffed down in amongst banter and laughter all in French of course. The return journey was highlighted by spotting the elderly man who sits in the square each day to talk with whomever passes or sits with him and on this occassion it was perhaps his wife. "Bonjour" was exchanged and we quickly arrived at the paddock at the beginning of our laneway to discover bubby foal feeding off Mummy and dancing about the paddock, so cute. With the sun just above the hills it was time to extract some more brie and the last of the Chateau Banquine before the light disappeared, Scooby maintained his perennial watch over our consumption. In all a magical day in the life of two Aussies.