Cigarettes

Phew, cough cough splutter. We just came back from a bar about 50m away after a quick drink. It was a quick drink because it was so smokey. We've got so used to no smoke in NZ that it's a shock even after all these months to walk into the smoke. It was a bit of a deliverance moment. I actually found myself singing the theme tune, loudly, before I realised. The people turned to look at us in unison and said in French "this is a local bar for local people, we'll have no trouble here!" At least that's what I heard as I checked I had my concealed weapon handy.

You'll be pleased to know it all turned out ok. We managed to speak only French so blended seamlessly and looked like maybe we were from the next village. "Bon jaw er bon sewer, un beer sylvia plat mit einer vine rue ge"

Earlier today we drove, and drove, and drove to Cahors which is a city not too far from here. It was amazing to read in our book that it was set up by the Romans. Also found out that one of it's citizens the son of a grocer became the prime minister of France (he resigned after 3 months). Another citizen became a pope and set up a university. No wonder it seems a bit more developed and prosperous than most of the little places around.

Cahors has an undercover market which Wendy wanted to go to. There were peeled rabbits of course, lots of wine, cheeses of all kinds. One cheese called Sec (dry) which looked interesting but a bit like it had rolled under something and been found during cleaning a few years later. "don't worry love we'll call it Sec, that means dry you know, those Frenchies love it " (said in a yorkshire accent). I must admit some of the cheese here is superb, some I leave to the more adventurous with my delicate constitution. By the way this is what I found when I was looking for pictures of ugly cheese.
Like Italy there are little hamlets and villages all along the roads here. I guess when there were only horses and carts or feet it was a long way to the next village. There are so many stone houses that look really old. I love that! We even managed to get back without using the map by recognising the route back. A stupendous effort for us. Wendy was driving though so that makes it easier as long as she takes the directions ha ha...