Inspiration Friday - Southwest France June 2006

At the very top of the circulade village of Aigne (built in 1000 AD) in the Minervois area of SW France, there are pretty ivy clad houses such as this one - a couple have been turned into art galleries. A circulade is a "l'escargot" or snail shaped village - just one narrow cobbled street of ancient stone houses, turning round and round as it climbs the hill - a means of fortification during the time of the Cathar uprisings.

I can imagine a simple table set in these tiny village gardens..................

.......................and on the pink tablecloth glasses of double strawberry trifles........

.....................and little fresh strawberry cream puffs........afternoon tea, French village style.

As I continured circling around and around to get to the top, somewhat dizzy in the June heat, I noticed French kitties lounging on windowsills enjoying the afternoon siesta.

Returning to the bottom of the l'escargot we were welcomed to lunch at the Restaurant Lo Cagarol where we sat under the sunbrella on the terrasse ombragee - shaded terrace - and enjoyed cuisine gourmande - gourmet cuisine. My DH and granddaughter are sitting at the far left table with my brother and sister-in-law who now live near this idyllic medieval village.