After another sumptuous breakfast we drive to Rocamadour. It is an out of this world, incredible place. Another town etched into a hillside but this one takes us beyond comprehension. We park and look upwards in stunned amazement. How can this truly be? Well, it is and all gasps of awe are warranted.
There are 200-plus steps to take you half way up. Or a lift. We take the ascenceur, thank you very much. Even Brett is keen on this idea as it is rather humid and lifts save time!!
At the halfway level it is all fabulous. Ancientness in all directions. Views that captivate. Quaint streets. Lovely church. Interesting bits of architecture. Not too many tourists but enough people to make it lively. An array of shops, not too touristy. Restaurants ready to serve.
The views from here at this level of things are awesome in every way.
But up we go ...
Walking to the top level is actually relatively easy ... Especially after all the walking we have done over recent days. I do believe I have walked more Kms in this past week than in the past year And it is all perfectly okay. No problems encountered!! The difference is I have time and the scenery is beyond spectacular. Sure beats a trot around the streets at home.
A series of gentle shady pathways weaving left and right, left and right, gradually take us right to the top, with some interesting sights along the way. A perfect blend of pleasant and wonderful wrapped together. And a real walk in the park compared to some places we have walked up!
En route, son Sam rings us. We sit on a park bench and he tells us all is well at home and we tell him about the heavenly place we are in. What's App is great!! We chat for some time, the miles and time difference no obstacle for communication ... except I wish I could give him a hug and see his lovely smile! And cuddle Indi the cat too.
At the top of this Rock City, we enter the ramparts. OMG we are at dizzying heights and the steps lead us up and up and up even further. I feel a little scared and grab at the handrails. There is a narrow part jutting out over everything below, it's like walking the plank on solid concrete. How did they ever build this? After drinking in the incredible views (good grief I need a drink but don't have one!) and marvelling at the construction (again, how does this get built?), we descend. It is gentle and before long we find ourselves about to leave. But not before finding a most intriguing boulangerie housed in a tiny building that resembles something out of Brothers Grimm. The guy who sells us his last baguette resembles the archetypal ski instructor - crazy blond hair escaping from chiselled features, and a smile that says 'I love skiing'. But there is no snow here. All worlds collide in places like this. Including gobsmacked Kiwis like us.
We drive onto Padirac where a large cave concoction is awaiting. First, we enjoy a picnic lunch under the trees and then descend into subterranean territory. We take a combo of lifts and steps downwards. It's quite incredible. Like being dunked in a large well of history and glory.
We walk through caverns, subtly lit, and then pile into punts to be escorted through the depths along the turquoise underground river. The colour tones just say YES to me, chalky teals, transparent whites and a hint of sepia. Could this be the Phantom of the Opera's holiday home? I'm willing Christine to appear and burst into song at any moment. Surely the phantom must be lurking around the next bend.
Whatever one imagines, it is all so beautiful, and upon alighting from the punt we are guided through more chambers of such space and beauty that to say your breath is taken away is an understatement. Emerging to the real world requires three lifts and a reality check. Did I just see all that marvellousness? Oh yes I did. .
Walking to the top level is actually relatively easy ... Especially after all the walking we have done over recent days. I do believe I have walked more Kms in this past week than in the past year And it is all perfectly okay. No problems encountered!! The difference is I have time and the scenery is beyond spectacular. Sure beats a trot around the streets at home.
A series of gentle shady pathways weaving left and right, left and right, gradually take us right to the top, with some interesting sights along the way. A perfect blend of pleasant and wonderful wrapped together. And a real walk in the park compared to some places we have walked up!
En route, son Sam rings us. We sit on a park bench and he tells us all is well at home and we tell him about the heavenly place we are in. What's App is great!! We chat for some time, the miles and time difference no obstacle for communication ... except I wish I could give him a hug and see his lovely smile! And cuddle Indi the cat too.
At the top of this Rock City, we enter the ramparts. OMG we are at dizzying heights and the steps lead us up and up and up even further. I feel a little scared and grab at the handrails. There is a narrow part jutting out over everything below, it's like walking the plank on solid concrete. How did they ever build this? After drinking in the incredible views (good grief I need a drink but don't have one!) and marvelling at the construction (again, how does this get built?), we descend. It is gentle and before long we find ourselves about to leave. But not before finding a most intriguing boulangerie housed in a tiny building that resembles something out of Brothers Grimm. The guy who sells us his last baguette resembles the archetypal ski instructor - crazy blond hair escaping from chiselled features, and a smile that says 'I love skiing'. But there is no snow here. All worlds collide in places like this. Including gobsmacked Kiwis like us.
We drive onto Padirac where a large cave concoction is awaiting. First, we enjoy a picnic lunch under the trees and then descend into subterranean territory. We take a combo of lifts and steps downwards. It's quite incredible. Like being dunked in a large well of history and glory.
We walk through caverns, subtly lit, and then pile into punts to be escorted through the depths along the turquoise underground river. The colour tones just say YES to me, chalky teals, transparent whites and a hint of sepia. Could this be the Phantom of the Opera's holiday home? I'm willing Christine to appear and burst into song at any moment. Surely the phantom must be lurking around the next bend.
Whatever one imagines, it is all so beautiful, and upon alighting from the punt we are guided through more chambers of such space and beauty that to say your breath is taken away is an understatement. Emerging to the real world requires three lifts and a reality check. Did I just see all that marvellousness? Oh yes I did. .
Thank goodness for speleology ... Cave study. And apparently there is much more to discover here at these caves that we never got to see. And there are many more caves in the area.
One cave experience is all we can manage but I'd love to explore more. Another time perhaps ...
One cave experience is all we can manage but I'd love to explore more. Another time perhaps ...
Back to La Cachette, we pick up our washing and head for Sarlat. It's laundry time. We find the DIY laundromat and, after some technical issues and angst, we manage to set the machine going. Good grief, the last time I used a launderette was in England in the mid 1980s. Luckily there is a very nice looking restaurant across the road so we pop over and enjoy a delicious meal while our knickers and whatnot go round and round.
Again, we combine our entrees to create our own specialty dish of "Melon Au foie gras".
I duck out every now and then to top up the drier.
All missions accomplished today.
Observation of the Day: We have been up high and down low today, and can only marvel at Mankind of many years ago for creating stunning places up high, and Mother Nature for doing the same below ground. And to the intrepid people with foresight and daring for discovering, preserving and showcasing it. Wow.
Observation of the Day: We have been up high and down low today, and can only marvel at Mankind of many years ago for creating stunning places up high, and Mother Nature for doing the same below ground. And to the intrepid people with foresight and daring for discovering, preserving and showcasing it. Wow.
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