14 September. Perfect weather.

During breakfast struck up a conversation with the producer of a French romantic comedy being shot in a nearby town. She went to UCLA as there are no French schools teaching the art of film making other than a few styles. Now an executive producer for France 6. After an interesting conversation about the technical and business of film making in France she invited me to the set.

A nice bike ride to the town of Foures – another arcaded town, round this time. She spent many months looking for a town like this as it fit her script. Charming, a boulangerie across from a cafe – as in the script – and other features. The town was watching of course. Spoke with the makeup person, the director, another producer, and got a tour of the equipment. Fifty two people on the set. Cost for 90 minutes will be 1.5 M Euro about half of what a US production would cost. The main reason is that in the US a finance syndicate joins for syndication and eventual worldwide distribution. Not possible in French.

Interesting High Def digital camera. Used to be expensive film but one had to stop filming early due the light. Now can shoot late and the increased cost goes to overtime for all. Will take four weeks to shoot the 90 minutes.

The pictures for this side adventure as well as the Greco-Roman one to follow are on my Nexus. Tried to email them but as they run just over 20MB many servers bounced them. Earthlink, flickr, wind stream, blackberry and a number of others.

After joining the road again stopped at Séviac, a Greco Roman excavation site that has been worked on for about 25 years. A large villa from fourth century ( a peaceful time in the Roman Empire) that was well used until the Seventh. (Pre Medieval period for those who are avoiding or are tired of the Middle Ages stuff ) Fully preserved mosaics. About a two acre site under constant work, one sees the exaction, as well as the various rooms including the hot rooms and private baths. Well worth the 4 Euro admission. A nice piece on a ball of string.

Undulating ride to Eauze ( pronounced A oze). Similar town to many we have seen lacking a wall or a spectacular cathedral – clearly getting spoiled. Place we are staying at is a dump. In the literature it said two stars. I would say minus two stars. Even though dinner is paid for we will not eat here. People were rude and other guests, French, confirmed and have similar feelings.

Ate a simple dinner of omlets and had wine, water, beer, and coffee. The drinks, as usual, cost more than the simple dinner.

There are 15 pictures labeled foures and or serviac The connection here is too flaky – sending his from Nogoro- another town on the route. Nice church here with some frescoes Not much else according to the tourist office.

To see the pics go to

Should be the leading set or today’s date ( 15 September 2010) if you are reading this in the future.