On Foot in Fumel

Today was walk day(mostly). They say you always see more on foot and get the feel of your neighbourhood. This morning I took myself off uphill (rather than down) while it was still coolish.

Narrow little streets – very quiet on a Saturday morning and still plenty of shade to walk in.

Memorial to the soldiers in WW1, over a century ago

In this park at the top of the hill, attempting to keep my bearings turned left to attempt a loop walk!

Side trip through the old cemetery – these are all family graves (like small houses) most adorned with ceramic poppies.

I then wandered past the big more modern high school devoid of life as closed now for the summer two months. With a little help from google maps took another left to head back into the town

Past a sports complex – gates open so took a wander around looking for the rugby ground – none in sight! So not sure what Rugby means on this sign.

Downhill from here – past the cute little houses into the Main Street. Then to the bottom of town to the only Tabac store for supplies – twice the price of Malta! Unfortunately it was then uphill all the way to Kevin and Rols house to meet up for the planned excursion to Bonaguil Medieval Castle set on a hill in forests about 20 minute drive away.

We park at the bottom and I could see there was some serious uphill ahead of me!

Built in the 13th century then modified and extended in the late 15th and early 16th centuries by Baron Bérenger de Roquefeuil, this fortress was never once the target of a military attack, thanks to its impressive defence system. At least an arduous climb only to be confronted with moats and drawbridges…

But first lunch at the cafe, a hamburger on the menu for me – as this midday meal has quickly become my main meal of the day.,.then it was up….

Cobbled streets (through the village) where people live and actually take up cars (small ones)

Quaint homes and hillside gardens!

Roland the photographer as we got to the fortress walls!

More up – water supply (a little green)

The church outside the fort

Accompanying cemetery – I’m getting the feeling cemeteries are all on top of hills in this area!

The fortress walls and where the moat used to be! Highly impassable! Having done our own foot tour we didn’t take the guided one and it was back down (cautiously as the cobbles now heating become very slippery for my Birks)

The view out over the forests and down the valley (from whence we had come) old rusted iron crucifix outside the most wall – without a story for what it was used for!

Back to the car park and these guys…

Goats cheese a very popular product in this region. Kevin then drove us on some more (narrow) country roads. The overcast morning had now broken out into full afternoon sunshine and the Tournesols (fields of sunflowers)now all smiling to the sky. On our way out they had their sad faces on (no sunshine) and all had their heads bowed down. I really understand the meaning of their French name – “turns towards the sun” as when there are full fields you can really appreciate their yellow flowers when the sun is beaming down and the are beaming up!