October 4th, 2018 . by Paul . No Comments
We are to embark on a five day trek from Fort William to Iverness, known as the Great Glen Way, and none of us had managed a long distance walk before. It is a sponsored walk in aid of a children's hospice in Tbilisi (the capital of Georgia). The weather forecast is rain and more rain but with some sunny intervals. So we embark on our adventure in some of the most beautiful countryside in the world.
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August 28th, 2018
We are on the high speed train from Girona to Perpignan but have stopped at Figueres near the French border. Apparently the train driver has left the train and not returned. We are stranded and we wait an hour and then two hours and eventually a new driver arrives by taxi! The original driver was protesting about his work terms and conditions. In the meantime other passengers have long since left and caught a taxi to Perpignan airport to ensure they did not miss their flights.
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August 22nd, 2018
We arrive at our studio apartment in the Old Town of Girona within a stone's throw of the cathedral. The apartment is up a series of steep steps and entered from the street through a very narrow door using an access code. We find keys for the inside door underneath the door mat. There are two keys and we assume they are identical as the outside door is opened by using the access code. A fatal mistake. We go outside to explore the city and find something to eat. On our return we discover the key does not fit the inside door and we are locked out!
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February 22nd, 2018
It is autumn 2018 and it has been a wet and miserable summer in the UK. I do not think there has been one week when it has not rained. They say it has something to do with the 'Gulf Stream' not reaching as high as it normally does off the coast of England! What ever the reason it is a delight to escape and be touring the Châteaux of the Dordogne and the Lot in brilliant sunshine.
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December 13th, 2017
The highest concentration of Bastide towns can be found in the French department Lot et Garonne in the region of Aquitaine in south west France. It is an area of undulating countryside which might be mistaken for parts of southern England except in France you have numerous vineyards, man made lakes and prune orchards. In the middle of this region is a little village St Maurice de Lestapel (population about 110 people). This is where I am staying whilst I explore the mystery of the Bastide towns.
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