Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Our breakfast place in Souillac is the Salon de Thé (see websites of other trips). Same ladies; same bakery offerings. A delight. One result of our decision to retrace some former French travel, was that many pictures of the remainder of the trip are "twins" of pictures taken in other seasons in 2003. This day's hike along the Dordogne River was an exact replay of the hike we had taken 16 months before in spring. We bought Casino market picnic components: apples, wine, Rocamadour cheeses, chocolate, etc., then stopped at the Salon bakery for a couple ham sandwiches. We tucked all of it in with our cameras, and headed along the familiar route to the bridge. F's ankle was now serviceable, though tender. We got to the bridge, crossed it to the picnic place of last trip, and ate in pleasant weather and in good spirits. Then we climbed the hill to the impressive chateau and the house next door with chickens and geese, and returned to town past inexplicable camp-sites and community gardens.

Souillac was gearing up for the big Bastille Day celebrations on Wednesday. We walked the town, took pictures, drank brand "51" pastis in a locals' bar, took a nap, then drove east of town to a pizza place on the river where we'd eaten last trip. It was not as good this time, but OK. F had the same choice of pizza. I had a beef brochette, and watched the river run. We drove back to the hotel to figure out how to use the electric shutters to keep out mosquitos and still allow fresh air to enter our room.

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