Le Pioch

After a few days of shots in the shade of the garden lane, I felt the need to show some sunshine. This is taken from the last place (or plo in Occitan) on the road into the heart of the village. To go further,you have to walk. At the end of the narrow descent is a house Teleri and I looked at when it was for sale years ago - but we were very glad to have turned it down in favour of the house where we spent the last seven years.

In my home I see many similarities with another Blip friend's journal about her village in Catalunya here. Le Pioch is a frenchification of the Occitan lo puèg, meaning the small hill - the old village is built on a small bluff over the river.

The maze of narrow streets, the sharp corners, the doorways and passages all offer splendid hiding places for children, and all our friends who grew up here describe an idyllic childhood playing in these ruelles. They had nothing, and they were happy.

I'm leaving the village for a few days, and I know I'll miss it, as my son and daughter do when they have to go back to work.

A lèu, mon vilatge! See you again soon!