We're back! We had a lovely holiday between coast and mountains; our first with the dog...
We camped in a large but calm and secluded site, up in the Pyrenees. A river called the Riuferrer ran past the site - we discovered that this means 'Iron River', and that mineral extraction and metalworking have been important industries in this rural area.
On several days we headed back to the Mediterranean coast, walking up in the hills or over headlands, and ending the day on the beach when the crowds were leaving.
There are tortoises in the hills! This enormous one is not a local, however, and was snapped at a wonderful and very educational Tortoise Valley park.
The area is Catalan, which means that the culture and language are almost as much Spanish as they are French. There are many abbeys and other buildings from the religious or military history of the kingdoms which once held sway in Roussillion.
Many of the buildings are stone, which is a change for those of us who live on the clay plains around the red brick city of Toulouse!
Broken pieces of old tile or brick, possibly even Roman, are used as decoration in the pointing around the stones in some towns.
Down at the seaside, the buildings and natural scenery have inspired many artists.
We camped in Arles sur Tech, which had a major abbey in medieval times.
Metal-rich lands were given to the abbeys, making them very wealthy, and the ironworkers made gifts of their talents to the abbey, such as this 16th century wrought iron cross.
Here is a modern gift to the abbey, made once a year by local villagers. Can you guess what it is made of? 
The wildlife was varied and beautiful.
On the coastal hills, I found scabious, which is one of my favourite flowers.
In the mountains, Ben spotted this typically Pyrenean pink.
And now to the sea, with the new masks, snorkels and flippers! The boys had a wonderful time: chased fish, saw live sea urchins and swam really well - it's clear that buying the pool has really increased their confidence.
Raja was, sadly, unconvinced by the whole business of sea bathing. When we were on isolated beaches where dogs were allowed, she swam a little but then took up position near (or preferably on) our towels and clothes, and looked slightly resentful.
However, as a whole, she settled well into the holiday and enjoyed lots of attention from the whole family. Her coat is glossy and she put on weight, which she probably needed! It was a great holiday...
Tomorrow I will show you the two gleanings I managed from a troc shop in the valley where we camped. Nothing truly
brocante, but a bit of a nice vintage feel, and very French...
2Laura over at 52 Flea is having an incredible giveaway, or, as she calls it, a
giveback. She is offering to be a personal shopper for the winner, at a fantastic antiques fair - if you know her wonderful taste, you will jump at this offer!
We were staying with Ben's parents last week, in a gîte only a few kilometers away from the Atlantic coast, in the Pays Basque.
The people of the Pays Basque of France are linked by language, culture and blood to the Spanish Basques known for their terrorist connections (actually - they have declared a permanent ceasefire, did you know?), but although the French Basques are strongly independent they welcome tourists so that people can learn about their unique heritage. They speak a languge that pre-dates any other European one, which mainly seems to consist of the letters X and Z, if road signs are anything to go by. They build (yes, they still build them) big white houses with red paintwork - originally the wood was coloured with oxblood.
They make cider, catch fish, grow and weave linen, play pelota and sing passionate songs for tourists and locals alike.
So, what did we do?
We went up a steep mountain (La Rhune) by train, and came down it on foot...
We hunted for, and found, fossils on a sloping cliff we'd discovered when staying nearby a few years ago.
Ben's parents took the boys to the aquarium in Biarritz and Ben and I took the opportunity to walk around the town and see the sights...
I took the dog for a walk to the local village, and found a beautiful church (possible Basque first and Christian second, I felt...)
And past the traditional Basque gravestones of the churchyard, I spotted the Cidrerie du Fronton, where Ben's mum booked us in for a quite stunningly traditional, delicious and enjoyable meal at communal tables (du cidre à volonté !) on our last evening.
And yes, Son 2 did swim in the sea every day - sometimes with his dad and his granny, often with me, and, on our last day, with everyone in the family together in the surf! A wonderful holiday.
Niki's Nostalgia at the Stone House calendar page for August.
It all goes very nicely with the mini-bunting I made last autumn with IKEA offcuts...
Look at this fantastic little painted shell in Niki's collection.
I'm afraid my version isn't anything so special.
But it's a lovely little holiday-style collection for August.
I look forward to turning over my calendar page so much each month!
There are tortoises in the hills! This enormous one is not a local, however, and was snapped at a wonderful and very educational Tortoise Valley park.
The area is Catalan, which means that the culture and language are almost as much Spanish as they are French. There are many abbeys and other buildings from the religious or military history of the kingdoms which once held sway in Roussillion.
Many of the buildings are stone, which is a change for those of us who live on the clay plains around the red brick city of Toulouse!
Broken pieces of old tile or brick, possibly even Roman, are used as decoration in the pointing around the stones in some towns.
Down at the seaside, the buildings and natural scenery have inspired many artists.
We camped in Arles sur Tech, which had a major abbey in medieval times.
Metal-rich lands were given to the abbeys, making them very wealthy, and the ironworkers made gifts of their talents to the abbey, such as this 16th century wrought iron cross.
Here is a modern gift to the abbey, made once a year by local villagers. Can you guess what it is made of? 
The wildlife was varied and beautiful.
On the coastal hills, I found scabious, which is one of my favourite flowers.
In the mountains, Ben spotted this typically Pyrenean pink.
And now to the sea, with the new masks, snorkels and flippers! The boys had a wonderful time: chased fish, saw live sea urchins and swam really well - it's clear that buying the pool has really increased their confidence.
Raja was, sadly, unconvinced by the whole business of sea bathing. When we were on isolated beaches where dogs were allowed, she swam a little but then took up position near (or preferably on) our towels and clothes, and looked slightly resentful.
However, as a whole, she settled well into the holiday and enjoyed lots of attention from the whole family. Her coat is glossy and she put on weight, which she probably needed! It was a great holiday...
Tomorrow I will show you the two gleanings I managed from a troc shop in the valley where we camped. Nothing truly brocante, but a bit of a nice vintage feel, and very French...
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