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LAROQUE - VISITORS BOOK

VISITOR COMMENTS

Hi Tony,
Just a quick message to say what a fabulous time we had in Laroque, in your beautiful home. Thankyou for sharing it with us - we would love to come again some time. Laroque is superb - we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the region, sampling the food, wine, restaurants, beaches, markets, villages, churches, chateaux ..... and practising our French. Thank goodness you persuaded me to stay 2 weeks - we really needed months to even start to know the area. The weather was superb - our daughter and her friend joined us for a few days, and they just adored all the local beaches. Our trip into Spain was also lovely, Barcelona is a beautiful city. Many thanks for Laroque once again!

Kind Regards,
Helen and Doug

I thought you would enjoy the little poem Doug wrote on leaving Laroque - we really loved the whole experience so much! (Even the church bell!)
Helen

Ode to Laroque

The morning sun through plain trees glitters
On a window ledge a sparrow twitters
Relentlessly the mountain stream surges through the towns gutters
Whilst all about the villagers throw open their window shutters

Down the cobbled streets - bonjours all around
To the boulangerie we are bound
We love those croissants and baguettes they sell
Ordered in tortured French, the shopkeeper is patient - just as well

Stone walls, flower boxes and some palms
Dogs in baskets or their owners arms
Numerous cats slink from shadows and drains
Heaven knows where they go when it rains

Picnic lunches with regional produce galore
Baguettes stuffed with olives, jambon, artichokes and more
Better still with that lovely Pyrenese Croits Noir cheese
This simple formula always seemed to please

In the car we squeeze out the garage door
Curious neighbours offer instructions in French - which we ignore
Out along the country roads in our Peugeot 305
Past olive groves, calk trees and red poppies we drive

Highway cruising at 130 and power a plenty
Pity about the petrol - one litre for two dollars twenty
Tail gating and horns reserved for the sedate
But tractors on country roads soon slow the pace

Off to village markets - we hope not to be late
For everything closes between noon and 3:58
Produce de terre from a variety of crops
Handmade cheeses, crafts and angora tops

Honey, olives, cordials, wines, fruits and more
Singers perform old favourite songs - we cheer for more

Lunch at a school with its very own Chateau
Finishing off with fruits and delightful gateaux
Then much needed exercise - up a mountain path
Finding lovely streams and pools for a refreshing foot bath

Motoring along arbor arched roads in the country
Listening to Cherie FM and our French cafe music CD
Stopping at caves - wine tasting degustations for free
Dodging weaving Citroen drivers - all drunk except me!

Back to Laroque and the Biblioteque quite near
The only internet point and only 5 Euro a year!
At this rate we should have emailed heaps
All frustrated by the strange hours that librarian keeps!

So with internet access amounting to nought
Alternatives 25 kilometers at the seaside we sought
Sure access was good for this time of year
But at 5 Euro an hour - a bit expensive I fear

Back to our abode in Rue d' Eglise
The neighbour reverses his truck into a thin garage with ease
With our car it takes five of us to do the same
Their driving skills leave mine to shame

We will miss this quaint little French village
But its time to recommence our grand voyage
Leaving behind the friendly folk and magnificent terrain
Tomorrow we set off - across the border to Spain