Culture day…..

Today was designated ‘Culture day’ – I was determined that we would not leave France without having been inside a Chateau.  It’s taken us almost a month to track one down that is actually open in February.  The Chateau de Monbazillac (click on the link) is just south of Bergerac, and opened for business again about a week ago.  We decided to go this afternoon as the morning opening times are 10.00 till 12.00 and by the time we’ve dragged our lazy arses out of bed (well, it’s dark in the mornings here and we haven’t been waking up until 8.30!), showered, breakfasted, walked Ozzy, and driven there we wouldn’t have had much time.  So we had a lazy morning, a late brunch and headed over there about 1.00 in time for opening at 2.00.  It only took us half an hour though, so we had plenty of time to wander around the outside before they opened the doors.

You could see for miles from the grounds – it’s just a pity that it wasn’t a clearer day like yesterday.

The last three pics are of the Chateau kitchen in the cellar – the sink, the large fireplace with oven at the back and the well - it wasn’t nearly as bright as the photos suggest – a dark and gloomy place to work in the 16th century I suspect!  I took lots of photos but I won’t bore you with any more – the above are just a few.

The weather had cleared a little more by the time we came outside and the sun was shining, but not for long.  As we headed west back towards the gite we had a terrific storm, rain coming down in torrents!  And still the locals drive like maniacs along the narrow country roads – we were almost taken out a couple of times on bends with them cutting over to the wrong side of the road!  But we made it back in one piece, and guess what – it’s still bloody raining!  Again!!!