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Published: August 1st 2012
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We can't seem to wake up early here - partly because it is light enough to read a book outside at 10pm, and the best part of the evening seems to be after 7pm so we don't go to bed until well after midnight. I can't remember the last time I slept until after 10am.
Today the girls were keen to cook, so they looked up a recipe for a true French omelette and went for it. I was a little sceptical about the combination of red and green peppers, porcini mushrooms and parmesan, but I had to eat my words when I tasted the end result! It was magnificent, and looked as good as it tasted. I am so impressed by their 11-year-old culinary skill.
As it is taking Frank and I so long to get going in the mornings, the children have amused themselves with games of Monopoly, Backgammon and cards. We are all relaxing and finding it a little hard to summon the energy to go out exploring. It's always worth it when we do, though. There is something wonderful around every corner.
This afternoon we drove to Saint-Leon-sur-Veziere, where we had arranged to hire
The famous Omelette
Porcini, peppers and parmesan does taste good! canoes and paddle down the river past some of the places where there are still remnants of cavemen - paintings done on rock. Throw in some Chateau, waterfalls and caves to paddle through and you have the makings of a sensational outing. We stopped and picked up baguettes, a couple of wedges of brie, some salami and ripe nectarines for a picnic before we set off, and lucky we did - it was a big afternoon.
All the children adored the canoeing, and there were regular water fights with paddles used to swoosh water at enemy craft. Silent ambushes were the most fun, and we whooped and laughed our way along for 8 kilometres. The quiet times were also amazing, as magnificent bright blue dragonflies silently darted alongside the canoes, and we cut through occasional drifts of waterlilies (Think a scene from "Come on Daisy" - one of Isabel's favourite books as a toddler).
Hugo and Isabel took regular swimming breaks and occasionally held on to the canoe while we towed them along, which was reminiscent of the paddelboats at Monterosso. We passed La Roque Saint-Cristophe, before pulling in at Tursac - just in time for the adults,
Montignac
This was our view from the restaurant at dinner. as our muscles were beginning to get tired. The rapids were pretty gentle there, but perfect for the children to wade upstream, then jump in wearing their lifejackets and whizz down river. They had fun for hours.
We had planned to have dinner at home, but no-one felt like it, so we drove on to Montignac and ate at a riverside restaurant - the duck with mushroom sauce was the standout dish tonight, and no child left anything on a plate! We had a lovely table on the banks of the river, overlooking the town and the beautiful old buildings reflected in the water.
There are always complaints about bed time here because it is so light, but tonight there wasn't a sound 10 minutes after good night kisses. The adults sat out by the pool for a while before turning in. Tomorrow is market day at Selignac, so it will be an early start - time to set an alarm!
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