Nice skiff

 This lovely skiff came past as I was walking along the river and I was fortunate to catch up with them on the slipway at Swanwick hard. The owner built after reading up on ceder strip construction to an American design. It looks like it may be the Annapolis Wherry.  Whatever the design he has made a great job of it.

 

French Classique

 Back in the mid 1970's, if you couldn't afford a Yamaha FS1E, then this (or a Puch Maxi ) were the transport of choice for a budding 16 year old wanting to get mobile.

 Forty-nine cc's and mandatory pedals to give some sort of notional hint that it was a bicycle, no ears just a centrifugal clutch, twist the throttle and off you went. Cheap enough to go to school on.

An enterprising bicycle shop had these for rent and leisurely tours around the local hills and mountains, not sure how they would get on with some of the steeper inclines, maybe that's where the pedals come in handy? 

Seagull Saturday

Or maybe not

 

Yawl

Perhaps it's just me but I seem to see far too few boats that set my heart racing, or maybe there are just so many look alike white boats the ones that are described as "euro style" or less kindly "lozenge".

 This yawl is a stand out with sweeping sheer, short raised cabin and lovely counter stern. I'm guessing it's around 65 or 70 feet which is really too big for short handed sailing, but it's probably the length that allows the lines and proportions to work well. 

XoD Morning

Local XoC in the early morning, thing of beauty

 

Contrast

 Interesting contrast tradition and modern on adjacent moorings, I'd be happy sailing either and both.

 

Castles, towns and villages

I've written previously that the southern parts of the Massif Central in France must have been a lawless place back in the old days as it seems like every village and town was fortified, many still survive intact today

There is probably no better area to visit than on the Route de Larzac in the Averyon region where we were staying during the summer. The route is world heritage site, a a series of villages which were owned and protected by the Knights Templar during the eleventh and twelfth centuries and the 100 years war.

Right at top is St Jean D'Alcas which was actually an authentic Cistercian village fort, built as a refuge in 1356 and completed in 1443.

Second photo down is the church at La Cavalerie which was, is part of the ramparts

Above La Couvertoirade, the most complete village which has survived without very much subsequent development, apart that is from the buildings being converted into cafe's and gift shops and thewhole place having the feel of a theme part rather than an ancient monument, such is the popularity of such places.

 I forget which village this fabulous residence was in, I just remember thinking what a cool place to live or maybe have as a holiday accommodation.