It seems a bit absurd to be writing about summer now. Today we spent the afternoon trudging through the forest's rasping golden carpet, following a dark, glassy river through crisp air towards a cosy pub, a pint of ale and a packet of crisps.

The pleasures of this time of year are so far removed from those we enjoy during the warmer months that looking back through these pictures gives me the sense of looking back on a different year.

Nevertheless it's only been a couple of months since our little daytrip to Beynac in the Dordogne region of France.






Beynac is a small medieval town perched up on an impressive golden cliff overlooking the Dordogne river. It's one of the most beautiful villages in France (officially) but one of its greater claims to fame is its appearance in the film adaptation of Joanna Harris' Chocolat (with Johnny Depp, no less).





Sadly there are no magical chocolate shops in Beynac today (if you don't know what I'm talking about, grab yourself a mug of hot chocolate and watch it NOW) although the views pretty much make up for it.




If you do visit, be sure to take sensible shoes for walking around in - it's a bit of a trek between the riverbanks and the chateau!




Having spotted us Brits, the weather began to veer between gorgeous sunshine and threatened rain. Mere minutes after we'd taken a leisurely stroll down these winding little roads, the entire sky was plastered in miserable grey and the rain absolutely pelted these pretty little streets.








We dashed into a small touristy restaurant selling pizzas on the riverfront and waited for the storm to pass. It did although the wind then decided to upend an awning-ful of rainwater all over one unfortunate table!!

Luckily the sun broke out again, bathing the Dordogne in golden light once more.


It's definitely a tourist hotspot but what holiday would be complete without them?