Prehistoric sites and foie gras

 amazing breakfast

 entrance to Font de Gaume

village troglodytique de la Madeleine 

gardens of Marqueeyssac 

 an view of our manor from the cliff top

Happily the sun was out again. (rain is coming) We had the most amazing breakfast in the garden this morning. It was the meal that kept on coming. We sat over looking the cliffs and watched the birds. You will have to check back after we return home and we will post some photos of this place including the breakfast. We had a reservation for the pre historic caves called the font de Gaume. It is a good thing we made our reservation in March because they only take 12 people at a time with one English tour per day. There was a family group of 8 from Australia with us. The guide was great and passionate about the history and Art in the caves. They are famous because the paintings are 15 thousand years old. Wow! We saw bison, horses and deer. They had vivid colorant used the natural contour of the limestone to make the shape. What is really amazing is the people that drew them had light an must have built scafoding to reach to paint. The discovered the tools but it is a mystery why they painted as they did not live in the caves. Since we were in the area we stopped into another near by site called village troglodytique de la Madeleine . They are dwellings along the side of cliffs. There were 3 periods that they were inhabited. 17 thousand years old in the caves,8th century they used the caves still but built. In wood timbers,astone chapel and added some wood structures. To the front.and later 14th. Century a chateau was built onto of the caves.very cool. It makes methink of Mesa verde in the USA which I would like to see some day. We stopped again in Sarlat for a late lunch. Finally trying the specialty of the area foie gras. Jim says once was enough. More wine of course. I think we might have to go on a diet when we get home. Antoine loaned us bikes. We set out on the rail trail. Rode to the river and back about 6 miles. Just when you might thing we had done enough... West stopped. On our way back to the gardens of marqueeyssac. It beginss as a 17th century estate and in 1997 after renovations opened as a public garden meant. For walking. It is way up high with great overviews of the dorgone valley.Topiary sculpted out of boxwoods. (looks like Dr. Suess land ) We could see our manor far below. Lucky for us the place closed late 8pm. Back for a quick dip in the pool and a glass of wine with the inn owner.too late for dinner out but we found a terrace cafe for a salad. Hoping the rain holds off in the morning so we an eat in the garden again for breakfast. Hoping the rain holds off for another garden breakfast