Thurs 30th July

After a few days back at Mansle with my friend and some fine French Cuisine cooked by
his friend we head for Correze Region. First impressions a hilly tidy green region
with good looking cows. Am I losing it? good looking cows!

The lakes get more abundant, some obviously Volcano Craters which have filled with
water, sandy beaches, swimming and water sports.
At Montgibaud 350m ASL on a Cider Farm we spend a silent, pitch dark night. The local
rock contains Mica some as sparkling grains other pieces would make an insulating
washer for a Power Transistor, or of course an SM Capacitor.

Friday 31st July

We stop for lunch at Meilhards and another lake, the communal area is occupied by Sculpturers producing works for the communes in the region.

Our planned night stop is at a Foi Gras Farm. The instructions are minimal but actually dead accurate if only we were to read and think before acting. 'Take the road to Rouffiat' meant go all the way Rouffiat not the farm is on the road to Rouffiat so after a climb up the road for 4Km assume its not there and go back to the village before. There Sue asked at the village square where they were setting up for the Farmers Market next day for confirmation of what I had now interpreted 'go to Rouffiat'. The language barrier hit, a fine old French fellow said 'I will take you, follow me'. Back up the road for 4.5Km climbing to 800m ASL we followed his car, he called the young Farmer Lady gave her a few kisses, told her he had found her some stupid English folk no doubt, shook hands and departed.
How many folk in England would drive 9Km to show some strangers the way?

Saturday 1st August

Not driving far we visit Lac de Sechimailes and an Aire to stay for a couple of days, only 650m ASL, temperatures in the 30's Centigrade a swim in the lake is grand.
The sand on the beach has small Mica particles and in the water, when stirred by bathers, they float continually,it is like swimming in a sparkling child's snow storm toy. The rock formation is light brown and pink Granite with the ever present MIca.
The night turns to thunder then heavy rain all night, no wonder the region is so green.

Sunday 2nd August

Remained overcast and cool, ideal for a ride into the town and later a walk in the forest around the lake.

Monday 3rd August

Not a long journey, after shopping in Meymac and trying to find some internet access.
Toward the Gorges of Dordogne. Some spectacular views on the way we arrived in Bort les Orgues in time for lunch. A nice town right on the Dordogne River and popular with
tourists and Campingcars. Now then why les Orgues the river is the Dordogne, there is no lake called Orgues, no adjacent town by the name.
Then I remembered the conversation with Michelle 'because the cliffs they
are worn like the pipes', yep thats it Organ Pipes.

The Gorge is steep and deep in one
spot on the road where you could see down to the river it reminded me of Bristol Avon Gorge on a larger scale. The river is dammed to produce a lake above he town and a Hydro Electric scheme.