Family summer holidays - The Cottage

Our last stop on our family summer holidays was an idyllic place in the middle of France, near Monclar-de-Quercy. This is our view. 

There are fields and fields of glorious sunflowers everywhere. Reminds you of summer doesn't it?

Here, we could invent our own cocktails - this one dad created for us.

We dined 'al fresco' (means eating outside) most nights.

 Dad stoked up the BBQ almost every night.

 And he perfected the toasted marshmallow.

 There was a pool on the property that was almost exclusively used by us. 

Getting use to this relaxing malarky.

More time at the pool.

We did venture out from our little haven to visit some very pretty French villages. So pretty in fact that some of these are actual winners of France's most beautiful village competitions.

This one is called Puycelsi. Looking from the outside, you just know it is pretty on the inside.

Indeed it was.

And this one is called Bruniquel. There are actually two castles built side by side in this village.

We did also venture out to a big city. This one was a Space Museum (Cite de l'Espace) in Toulouse.

Sarah got to meet an astronaut!

We learnt how big some of the other planets were compared to Earth.

I think we spotted some stars in the galaxy.

I got to present the weather on TV!!

We're dressed up to take a space flight. What, where's the spaceship you say....?

... why, here it is!! The Ariane 5!

It stands 53 metres tall, in case you are wondering.

This is how they sleep in space. We had to try them out. They are not particularly comfortable.

Another day, we went to visit Albi. This is a very 'brick' city.

We did find a fun shop though.

Why is it a brick city? Because this cathedral is one of the biggest brick buildings in the world! This was built in the 13th century. All with bricks! Did I mention bricks?

Inside, was pretty impressive too.

 Some fountains to cool off.

Alas, summer holidays can't go on forever. On our way home, after a glorious week with my family. 

Au revoir!!