25/05/2017 Public Holiday here today and we went for a drive to the Charente Lakes.

Maximum temperature 28C, minimum 13C.  20 km/h E wind with 25 km/h gusts.   Dry.

We left home driving through the Charente forests...

through Massignac...

as above.

Arriving at the lakes, Lac du Mas Chaban on the left the smaller of the lakes and Lac de Lavaud on the right where we went to....

Driving past Lac du Mas Chaban...

Arriving at the larger lake and Le Soleil Couchant where we sat in the sun and had a drink...

Walking along the shore, the small beach on the opposite side...

looking down the lake...

a yacht sails by

and a yacht and a small boat/canoe.

Flag irises looking very pretty (Iris pseudacorus).

and back home through the forests.

04/09/2017 Out for lunch.

Maximum temperature 29C, minimum 15C.  16 km/h NW wind. Very Dry.

La Côte de Boeuf restaurant in Pressignac.

Map of the area with the two Charente lakes.

 After amuse-bouche which did not photo very well, but were delightful...

My starter was goats cheese and bacon on salad....

and Nigel had asparagus mousse and smoked salmon.

He then had veal and vegetables...

while I had beef casserole and vegetables.

This was followed by a large cheese board and yummy desserts.

The baby in the high chair in the centre of the photo was so well behaved and sat quietly for the two hours her parents and grandparents were having lunch.  French children always amaze me with their good behaviour and manners.

The view of Lac de Lavaud out of the window....

but you can see how dry it is on the other side with the water well below the top of the spillway!

Driving home - maize on the left and forest area following on.

A drive by shot of Massignac church.

An inquisitive donkey by the side of the road when we were almost home.