Wonderful flat ride here. Told it was flat but indeed it was rolling with a total ascent of over 200m. Getting easy to climb, and think.

What one realizes after reading Medieval history, Pillars of fire, and seeing all the Bastide towns is the importance of quarries, the necessity of walls to keep the outlaws and often the tax man or sheriff. These beautiful walls and towers on the hillside are a living example of what was necessary for survival.

Libby – Curious about your impressions of Pillars of Fire after you read it. Mostly curious what you think of his writing. I read so little fiction I have no basis for comparison on quality of writing.

Yesterday’s experience in the Chambre d’hôte had a bright side. For decades we have been seeing the outside of French homes, country side and small town homes. Never been inside to see what they contain. Finally we have and as the picture I will eventually send from the Nexus will show. We see an example of a nicely fixed up place. Outside is rather dull as all the country side homes are. Behind the shutters it improves as one expects and, of course, not in the way a US home would look. Stone walls, hand built in the forthcoming picture.

This place in Lalbenque is a renovated old farm. Modern fixtures and beautiful wood high vaulted ceiling. Extremely nice.

Sent from my iPad