Children in Need

The Rickshaw Challenge in aid of Children in Need came through Kent this year so Morris and I went along to cheer the riders.

It was quite chilly standing and waiting but we had our photo taken with a mini Pudsey on the outrider motorbike.

We had a really good view when the rickshaw arrived being driven by Phoebe.

Barnaby

Vacances en Dordogne - Day 4

We made the most of our last day by visiting the pretty town of Le Bugue en route to the airport.

We had a late breakfast at a patisserie by the river  

 

And then explored the local market. These fresh vegetables look great but I still prefer chocolate. The market sold flowers, clothes and shoes too.

     

We had a fabulous time and hope it's just au revoir and not goodbye to the lovely Dordogne region.

Barnaby 

Vacances en Dordogne - Day 3 (Part 2)

After we'd visited the Hanging Gardens of Marqueyssac we drove even further up the mountain to the village of Domme.

Domme is a medieval bastide built high up and surrounded by a wall to protect the people who lived there. There used to be a lot of fighting in this region of France, which is also why there are so many castles.

Now Domme is a lovely place to sit and have a drink overlooking the countryside.

Barnaby

Vacances en Dordogne - Day 3 (Part 1)

The sun came out again on our third day, which was perfect as we were going to visit some Hanging Gardens (a long way from Babylon).

On the way we saw a lovely view of Beynac.

We also drove up to Chateau de Castelnaud.  It wasn't open as it was too early in the season but it looks well worth a visit.

We had another view of Beynac when we got to Marqueyssac.

You can also see the Castle of Fayrac in this picture.

If I'm not smiling broadly it's because the hedge was still wet after yesterday's rain and I got a wet (or soggy) bottom.  Later I brushed against the bushes lining the path and my lower paws got wet too.

Just as well it was sunny and the views were lovely.
























Here I am at Le Belvédère right at the top of the hanging gardens. We could see all the places shown on the compass but it was a very long way down!








































Later we drove through the pretty village of La Roque-Gageac to visit Domme (see Part 2).

Just one more thing to say about Marqueyssac - watch out for the peacocks!

Barnaby

Vacances en Dordogne - Day 2

It was cold and wet this morning so we had a lie in and then wrote postcards while our humans went to church and out for lunch.

By the time they got back got, the rain had stopped so we went for a walk and explored the village where we were staying.

Can you read what's written on the building behind me in this photograph? (Here's a clue - it's one of my favourite things 😁)





























Doesn't the local abbey look pretty in this picture?

Barnaby

Vacances en France (Holiday in France)

Morris and I have been on holiday again and this time we went by plane.

We had to get up very early (3.30am!) to drive to Stansted Airport but only a few hours later we landed in glorious sunshine in Bergerac, France

This part of France is called the Dordogne, after the river that runs through it, but is sometimes also known as Perigord.  It is very famous for its duck and geese products, including foie gras.

Morris and I prefer another type of local food though, which you can read more about on his blog.

Here we are in the capital of North Perigord - Sarlat - with a statue of some famous geese.

 .    

Barnaby

#PenquinAwarenessDay

In honour of #PenguinAwarenessDay here I am meeting the gorgeous Fairy Penguins on Phillip Island near Melbourne.

We also saw them in the wild on the Otago Peninsula in New Zealand.  They are so cute.

If you'd like to see them close up - and can't afford a trip to Australia - Martin Clunes is going to Phillip Island in the third episode of his Islands of Australia programme on Tuesday.

Barnaby

PS Martin Clunes and I weren't on Phillip Island at the same time but I have seen him filming on a beach - in Port Isaac. As you can see it was a typical English summer's day :-)