Novotel Limoges

Set upon the River Vezere and quite pretty due to its 15th and 16th century Maisons a Tourelles, which looks like miniture castles due to their turrets. The rain had stopped for our little walk around the village but started again when we got back to the car - great timing!<br>

Stayed last night in a pretty little medieval village of Solignac, right on the town square next to the villages 11th century church, which is on the pilgirmage route - Santiago de Compostela. It had rained last night and was still raining so our wander around was brief! Our plan today was to stop at several little villages in the area, of which they got progressively prettier.

We left Stephanie's around 10:30 am. We stopped at a "boulangerie et patisserie", which is French for YUMM!! It is a bread and pastry store. They are located everywhere and have fresh bread and pastries. <br><br> We found our way to Chateau Roche, where we picnicked on the lawn all alone. The Chateau was apparently closed, but the gate to the grounds was open. So, we lunched there and then took ...

I had wondered how my currently lardy physique, in my limited and scruffy travel wardrobe, would go down in famously stylish France... but I found that the rural Perigord was less Parisien chic and more practical peasant-wear... perfect pour moi!<br><br><br><br><br><br> <br>And so I settled in to enjoying this rural idyl: sleeping late, drinking fresh brewed coffee ...

... with a handbag. Made more sketchy by the same fellow (obviously a scholar) re-entering the building and leaving with another hand bag and a guitar. I wander where he was going with his two handbags and guitar. . .<br><br>We cycled on to find a camping spot. After 5 days of intense cycling in heavy heat with no shower we were forced to sleep in amongst a thick cloud of smell which could quite literally "gag a maggot".

Distance covered: 35 miles cycle and 15 car<br><br>So we woke up early for the first time and set off in the blazing sun with high spirits. We were absolutely destroying the miles and there was even talk of getting a record (70+ in a day!!). But then an absoulte disaster occurred. About 15 miles away from a city my rear wheel disintegrated. It would be impossible to walk it. Maybe a hitch from a ...

... floor. These kids were just goofing around, running over these quotes and not even reading them. A few were in English, such as the one that said, "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it." As these kids pranced over quotes such as this, I felt sick. Maybe they should take the time to read and ponder such a thing, because their behavior was, quite frankly, a little frightening. Anyway, that's all for now. Look for updates from Munich!

Ahh, first full day of driving. Which meant that we were running out of gas! First time driving in France, don't speak the language, don't know what kind of gas this rental car uses, plus it's getting late and we're driving in the countryside (lovely farms I might add). And we have no idea where we're going to sleep! And we're getting hungry ...

... 6 months in central America ? Surprise ! In the idea of continuing my hooks up with friends, I am now in Los Angeles with one of my best friends. Relaxing is the motto of my time here. Of course, there is a little bit of going from optical store to optical store but it is mainly about the dogs, the bunnies, barbecues, hikes and chilling out with friends, a good location to hook up with some people I had met in Bali as well ! What a small wonderful world.

... we found metered parking one block from the hotel and illegally fed the meter six dollars an hour for five hours until parking was free for the night. On the second to last meter feed Jason got to the van and forgot the keys in the room. Wounldnt you know that when he got back ten minutes later there was a $60 ticket sitting there. You can imagine Jasons calm cool demeanor. The next day we went to speakers square in Hyde Park, Camden Market and a wonderful French ...