Ah ha, I've been on holiday. Whilst the weather was fine here in the UK, I flew over to France with my clan for a couple of weeks in the Dordogne.
Fitting in holiday around wedding season isn't always straightforward, so it was especially good to take advantage of a quiet two weeks and enjoy a long holiday (out of season). All before Daisy starts school later this year and we're forced to holiday with the masses of others during school holidays! Yikes (that was a long sentence....and really do you care?).
I'm not a super fan of hot weather, 24-28 degrees would suit me, and the Dordogne offered 'almost' just that. A few overcast days, but also some glorious sun.
We stayed at a great place called Chez Bigot, set in 22 acres with chickens & pigs to entertain the kids. Pooh sticks & stone throwing off the bridge were holiday highlights, as for Daisy it was her new crocs (shoes that are plastic & horrible - certainly not Jimmy Choos!).
Ali enjoyed the history and romance of Chateauxs and I just liked putting my feet up, taking photos of my family & places of beauty around France - as well as a lot of french patisseries.
Chez Bigot, set along the river, in 22 acres.
The local lake at St Estephe was a great spot for Daisy & Barnaby to paddle and play on the sand. I also thought it'd make a great spot for some lifestyle portraits - pity I don't live in France or have this on my doorstep here!
One of my favourite photos from the holiday above, and one of Ali's below.
Cargo netting is sometimes difficult to understand when you're only one!
I mentioned holiday out of season right? Ta na....not a person in sight, our very own paradise island.
Peek-a-boo. Meanwhile below Daisy keeps look out for any pirate ships arriving - or at least something like that!
Ahh, Chateauxs. So, who'd like to have this place? Nice spot for a house huh?
Barnaby likes to copy Daisy a lot at the moment. Here he is enjoying the view!
He also likes animals a lot. Even if they are on a tapestry.
On from Chateauxs and off to Angouleme a nearby City.
The view from the outskirts of the city of its walled exterior are great. I truly love this photo, loads of layers, beautiful texture & colour and leading lines drawing you into the photo all over the place.
Yep, those bright pink things on Daisy's feet are indeed the aforementioned CROCS!
My little pirate.
Ahh, back to another Chateaux. This time one that opened at 2pm, despite the fact we arrived at 10am! Doh! France has an entirely different approach to the service industry compared to the UK. If it's lunchtime (12-2pm) forget doing anything, and if you think somewhere is going to be open as it was the week prior, think again.
After killing 4 hours 'pottering' around a quiet French village, the Chateaux did finally open for a tour around.
Ah ha, pooh sticks & stone 'plopping'. A popular pastime for toddlers.
Possibly Barneys favourite 'thing' on holiday - the pigs. He now does a fine piggy grunt, and if you ever wondered where he'd walked off too, chances were you'd find him at the pig's pen!
Daisy was very much the resident chicken expert; helping with feeding, egg collection and also cleaning out the cage. (Now REALLY, who would want to do that on holiday - only Daisy!)
The weather hit 30 degrees mid holiday, so nudie paddling pool was order of the day.
Ohh look, it's like being back at work. Inside a Church, but best of all I could take photos where ever I wanted - wahoooo.
St Jean-de-Cole, voted as one of the prettiest villages in France. (below) A nice place to have your house.
Market day at the local town was great for a mooch around. These super size tomatoes were lovely. French bread, brie & tomatoe. Simple and scrummy.
(below) Daisy worked the stall of dried fruit - again very yummy.
Brantome. Yet another wonderfully picturesque French town.
Our obligatory holiday postcards were bought from here......and despite posting them only 3 days before we left, did in fact beat us back to the UK. Good work posties.
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