Ken's ancestral tour through
South-West France - 1 - London to Biarritz

Tuesday 24th June 2003

We left for Stansted at 1220 & it takes about an hour from Islington now. The Pink Elephant Parking bus took us from Z3-8 to the terminal in about ten minutes. A bit too early to check in but soon done & we were delighted to find a Ponti's where the Garfunkles had been outside of passport control (not that they control passports anymore - just X-ray the luggage). We had serious salads & carrot cake, as we did not know when or if we would eat again. The flight was half an hour late (1620) out &, although it had been extremely hot previously in Bordeaux (40°C), as checked on the Internet, it had been pouring with rain when we landed. We had had some difficulty getting out of central Biarritz, not because it was difficult but there was a lack of road signs. Eventually, it was a piece of cake. Then, it rained on us somewhat on the journey to our friend's 'chateau', bucketing down after the rather anxious daughter of our friends had let us in to this large farmhouse in a present state of redecoration & therefore, some disorder. It is very roomy but it wouldn't do our friends any favours if I photoed the interior as it is, except for the drawing room's giant fireplace & the kitchen. The side door opens straight into the drawing room which has a massive fireplace. The daughter said they first tried to live in her mother's family home, here in France, when she inherited it but they were made unwelcome in the village by the incomers in the new estate, so moved to this village, where it seems, there is no such problem. There was bread in the freezer & we had 'tea' in the kitchen before going out to explore what there was of the village. A hop was taking place next to the Mairie but otherwise, all was silence. The church is an intimidating looking building.

No, I am not going to tell you where it is. You would need the RG (security police) to find it from these clues. There is still plenty of space with derelict buildings in France for you to find your own to 'English'. However be warned (July 2003), it is dawning on the French that going for new build is not necessarily the best option & too many English hanging around pushes up the prices.