The Chandhallies and I have had a hectic year this year.This trip to France was not really planned but when nature calls,you just have to drop everything and just go for it. Pia - CHANDHALLY SNOW QUEEN decided that the time for mating was NOW, well we just had to hit the road so to speak.Destination BEZIERS on the French “Mediterranean “ Coast. A total round trip of 2000 miles. All for LOVE !!

 I have never “been “ to France. So I  was really looking forward to seeing all these Vin Yards and to taste the local wines..There were many Emails back and forth to South of France and then the ferry bookings .All done. So we took the 3 girls with us.We did Pool to Cherbourg and back to Portsmouth .We drove  down to the south along the motorways through Rennes, Nantes down to Bordeaux. Fantastic.Hardly any traffic and I saw my very first propper Vin Yard.I was rather excited about that.I was just like a child.We then headed towards Toulouse and on to Languepie.Weather was really good and getting better and hotter by the minute.We stopped at many service stations to rest and walk the dogs.

We arrived at the  super   B&B  - Chambre d'hote  " Les Cerisiers". in Languepie -run By Mrs Maggie DeRozario - a True Brit with 2 Dalmatians and a small Vin Yard.What more can you ask..? derozario@tiscali.fr She does not accept dogs in the room but the dogs were very safe in the car. Snug and warm as it was cold at night.The car was in the shade till mid day, so no worries of the dogs getting hot

  Patio at the back a lovely place to sit with a glass or two of wine

The front of the Bed and Breakfast    

More Grapes....

                     LANGUEPIE

Next morning we drove down to BEZIERS. A very hot trip down and it was getting hotter the closer we got.We drove through some stunning little villages. In Beziers we met up with the owners  of Toscano.Marc, Florence and Berengere  and not to forget French Champion Troilous De Peuch Barrayre.He is bred by another Brit living in France In Milhars-Tarn. Mrs Sally Clegg . .

We stayed in a “french Travellodge “ - Hotel Campanile  at Villeneuve les Beziers - www.campanile-beziers.fr who accept dogs and they do not charge for that.Plenty of green grass for you as well.It was a perfect spot for the two love birds.Yes we did have 3 matings so we shall see what a bit of French romance will do.We had a super meal and a great chat in the evening and some of the  local wine. It was Excellent.We left the next day for Languepie and did some sightseeing on the way back.So here are some of the places we saw..Where are the dogs you may wonder?? It was just far to hot to walk them around- 33 c - and you do not walk around with a bitch in full season.She would drive the males mad and we could end up with a pack of dogs after us -so they stayed in the Airconditioned car.

 The amazing Millau bridge seen from 2 different points and a very long way down to the bottom and the town.They claim it is a mile from top of the bridge to the bottom !! It is just 1 hr east of Albi..

Taken from the bridge overlooking the town

On the way to see the bridge from the view point.Its a long way down !!

               A typical French Village

ALBI - this cathedral is made from very small red bricks.

An amazing turquoise river and its village somewhere in South ofFrance

               A Chateau with a view ?

Sky, Moss and Pia on the grounds of Maggies B & B.

 View from my bed room at  7 am. A really romantic setting. We will be back to this wonderful part of France with or without the dogs.It was truly wonderful and the dogs had a super time.Not a dog show in sight.So we had a propper holday. I picked  up a few french words was able to buy some food and drinks.I am very proud of myself but I am now determind to learn french and I have bought a Teach your self Frence CD for the car.

Ididn’t  see any men with a barrette and stripey t shirt and a French stick under the arm or a man on a bike with onions around the neck ..I was quite looking forward to see that too..

                                                                   Perhaps next time