Tour de France & 'Fete d'epouventail' : summer fun in Meyrals!

Summer is whizzing past in a blur of changing guests and events........... 

We've had a great mixture of guests so far this year from all parts of the globe, attracted by the history, scenery, food and architecture of the region - and they've not been disappointed!
The Tour de France has also drawn in a number of enthusiasts who were keen to watch the penultimate time trial stage from Bergerac to Perigeux. The number of keen cyclists who have stayed with us this year has definitely increased with the last one naming a timed ride on a stretch of road in our honour (see the Strava website).
Tour de France fever was evident at our annual scarecrow festival in Meyrals -

The 'Fete d'epouventail' happens every year at the end of July: everyone has the chance of winning a prize as anyone can make and enter a scarecrow in the competition or if art is more your thing there is the opportunity to sit and produce a piece of art work on the theme of scarecrows.

For those not interested in prizes, the traditional games are a big draw with children and adults alike, eager to have a go (fortunately, for those of us without a clue how to play, there are helpers on hand to give a demonstration). The location of the games in a walnut orchard gave some welcome shade from Saturday's hot sunshine!






        After a hot few hours admiring scarecrows, watching theatre performances and playing games our guests were keen to  retreat to the pool -    

  but with Le Jardin des Amis situated close to the centre of the village they didn't miss seeing the 'montgolfiers' (hot air balloons) taking off and floating away for a view of the Dordogne valley.

                               
After a hot few hours admiring scarecrows, watching theatre performances and playing games our guests were keen to  retreat to the pool -     but with Le Jardin des Amis situated close to the centre of the village they didn't miss seeing the 'montgolfiers' (hot air balloons) taking off and floating away for a view of the Dordogne valley.


         

 Happily our location also gave a ringside view of
the magnificent evening firework display for those parents in charge of a house full of sleeping infants!

Wildlife in the pool!