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We awoke to yet another rainy day but we were hopeful that with travelling South East to Rocamadour the weather would improve.
Having said our goodbyes to Jean Marc, Quitterie, Marie, Berthille, Adrienne and of course Nuk (their beautiful dog) and with promises to see Marie in a month in NZ and hopefully Jean Marc and Quitterie within the year, we were off.
We decided to take the quickest way to Rocamadour by the autoroute so Jonny could enjoy driving at 130km/hr. It is also the best way as there are so many villages that you feel like you have only just left one before you enter the next. There are also so many round a outs in this country that you get dizzy just thinking about them. The GPS is really helpful in spite of it sending us off on the odd wild goose chase!
We got to Rocamadour just before 3pm which was a perfect time for us to check in to the hotel (just above the chateau and village) and to wander around the chateau, the Notre Dame chapel and to walk the path of the 12 stations of Jesus. This town is actually over 1000 years old and is seen as a very important pilgrimage for many Christians as well as being a UNESCO site. The path of 12 stations is an uphill walk (or crawl on knees for the more pious) where one prays at each station of Jesus' condemnation and consequent crucifix. The chapel of Notre Dame, built into the hill side is beautiful and the views from the chateau ramparts are magnificent! Finally, Jonathan is impressed!
We enjoyed a pleasant wander around the village finishing off with an aperitif on a sunny terrace before ascending to our hotel, Jonathan and Brodie in the elevator, Sophie and myself racing up the path!
Dinner was a bit of a risk take as the hotel recommended we go to the restaurant across the road - it looked suspiciously like a tourist trap but in fact we all had an amazing meal with set menu. Sophie has become the true gourmand as she really enjoyed the adult set menu of farmhouse terrine and confit de canard followed by pannacotta and strawberries! It's going to be a shock for her returning to NZ and Mum's cooking.
Tomorrow we are off to view the Gauffres de Padirac and onto our little house in the woods.
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