APRIL - Apple orchards in full bloom

An apple grove near Aiguillon. The countryside is in full bloom.

The kids could not resist running through the grove.
The petals from the blooms were completely blowing
everywhere and almost looked like snow falling.

APRIL - Spring has Sprung

We spent this past weekend visiting Grottes de la Lastournelles

in Lot et Garonne, 20 minutes from our house in Aiguillon.

The kids are preparing to enter the cave. Tulips in bloom
The flowers and spring colours are starting to show.
The boys kill time playing in the sand outside the sports complex
in Temple sur lot, while the girls are inside practicing basketball.

APRIL - Easter

A typical window display at a patisserie,

the French take their "chocolat" very seriously.

The easter egg hunt is on!

Who's the fastest and who will pick the most?

So much for you strong athletic girls...

it looks like the boy in the pyjamas got the most!

Yum, chocolate easter eggs for breakfast.

APRIL - Beynac et Cazenac, Dordogne *

A few km downsteam from La Rogue Gagneac,

Beynac is one of the prettiest villages in Dordogne.

A cobblestone street going up and around.

Patty and Lorraine enjoy the beautiful views of the

Dordogne River and valley below.
Time to sit for a while and enjoy some of the late evening sun.

Typical village home made of yellow and grey Dordogne stone.

APRIL - Beynac et Cazenac **

A closer look to admire the home's rustic stonework. Patty walking up a narrow village lane to get to

the hilltop castle.
In soft evening light, this house almost has
an Impressionist look to it

Finally made it to the Castle de Beynac.

Only to find it closed for the day.

oh well, the beautiful hinged door is a sight alone!

APRIL - La Roque Gageac

La Roque in Dordogne.

Situated on the Dordogne River, it is truly the perfect

picture postcard village carved right into the hill.

APRIL - Sarlat, Dordogne

Sarlat in the Dordogne department, 2hrs N.E of Aiguillon.

It has the highest concentration of medieval, renaissance

and 17th century buildings of any town in France.

A Renaissance building,

now a sidewalk cafe in full swing for Easter

The townhouses are rich in ornamental detail.
Finally the ivy is turning green, a sure sign that spring is here.
Protected by heritage law in 1962, one of Sarlat's
old stone houses sits unchanged.

APRIL - Clemont Dessous, Lot et Garonne

A beautiful hilltop village overlooking the Garonne,

10km south-east of Aiguillon.

Easy to spot the approaching storm in the big sky.

The grey sky on this day capped off a perfect medieval setting.
Clemont sits just above Port Saint Marie,
where Zayn plays basketball.

APRIL - Larressingle, Gers

View of Larressingle, a tiny fortified

village in the Gascon countrysideInside its fortress gate and intact wall,

one gets an idea of what life was like

during the perpetual warfare time of the 13th/14th centuries.

Gord and Lorraine go on a walkabout inside of Larressingle.
Lorraine looking up to the top of the church.

APRIL - Fources, Gers

Spring flowers and blossoms in Fources, a "Beau Village" of France.

Unique trees starting to bloom

APRIL - Condom, Gers

No, it is not famous for that!!! It is famous for its Armagnac.

Since we have already been to Montreal, I guess we will

make the left turn to Condom.Visited the museum de l' Armagnac to finally figure out the

difference between Cognac and Armagnac

Open shutters, taking in the morning sun.
The cloister behind the main cathedral in Condom, which
due to its age and pilgrimage past, is a UNESCO World
Heritage site.

APRIL - Wine Tour

The girls patiently waiting in the logo sign for the private wine tour to

begin at Chateau Haut-Bailly.

Chateau Haut-Bailly, south of Bordeaux.

Learning about the vineyard.

Zayn, Danae & Quinn leaning against the oak barrels, in which the wine ages for 16 months.
In France, being part of a tour also means wine tasting...
no matter what your age!

The girls exercised the option to pour the wine out

after a smell, swish and tiny taste.