Turn right from the House and head north west up into the hills – St Gervais sur Mare, Castanet le Haut, Murat sur Vebre, Nages to Lac du Lauzas.  It was lunch time in Murat sur Vebre and to find the village en fete was a dream come true, offering a stunning 11€ lunch of barbequed local beef (to die for) jacket potato and salad, followed by 3 huge pieces of local cheeses with an oreillette. This is cattle and grain country, 800 – 1000m up; so green and lush looking and with a temperature some 12 degrees cooler than our sun-baked schist, grape growing region! The lake looked as if it was anywhere other than in Languedoc with beautiful planting. The red and orange berries of the Rowans were a joy and the real find of the day was several ‘Cardabelles’. These are the yellow saucer like flowers growing from the murderously pricklely leaves that are pinned onto Languedoc doorways in ancient villages.  (A mystery as to how anyone cold handle them, let alone pin them to a door!) Along the waters’ edge there are little plages, sandy bits to sit on.  There is a ‘Leisure Area’, which quite honestly is a throw back to the 1960’s – grassy banks for sitting, crazy golf and a trampoline, pedalo look-alikes with a little engine to hire by the half hour. This different world is only 1 hour away along the prettiest of routes, albeit quite narrow in places!

We drove around the lake to Fraisse sur Agout, another ‘village de fleurie’. Do stop and take a coffee or beer in the little bar with lovely outside seating overlooking the river. I was fascinated by the French families all armed with very long bamboo canes and fixed fishing line with a float – dangling them into the water from the bank. They were catching their supper – trout! Not so easy to catch but some managed 6 in a relative short space of time. They had to pay 1€80 for each fish caught. A cheap supper it seemed to me! (mind you – you have to gut and clean them)…..

Time to head back driving through the Foret  de l’Espinouse….take a camera to capture some of the stunning views heading for St Gervais and home to Brousson.

This was my treat for a trying week….

A puncture in Narbonne on Tuesday.  This is a great city and the highlight was fabulous tapas and a La Clape tasting with Eric at El Rincon in the famous Les Halles, a must for a visit anytime.

On Wednesday the builders renovating ‘the tower’ of La Tour dug the chemin up AGAIN, the second time in 2 weeks – without any warning marooning the guests!

I scalded my left hand quite badly on Thursday – here is me with my hand plastered in green mud to draw out the heat. So come Sunday I was ready to head out!

Eating Coin-Coin pizza at Chateau du Lunas has got to be the ultimate pizza experience for the canard lover!

Magret du canard, fume du canard and wait for it, foie gras! On a homemade not too thick base with crème fraiche, (no tomato!) served with homemade chilli oil, I was in heaven with the door shut! I was sitting on the terrace overlooking the river …..and dare I say, there were lots of duck coin-coining below (?)
Well worth a try!

I so rarely ‘go out’ during the season so a second outing in the same week is well worth a mention.  Dinner at Auberge Campagnarde in the valley around Lake Salagou, near Salasc was a lovely treat.  Sitting outside overlooking the lake and the stunning red volcanic soil watching the sun go down eating a beautifully presented home-cooked dinner was just perfect. Lots of choice and wines from around the sandy soil of the Lake made a memorable evening.  Careful on the drive back as there is much wild life beginning to stir which you can pick out in your headlights.

Jane Neal and her friend Lits welcome you to her home, a Maison d’Hotes located in the Orb Valley of the Haut Languedoc Natural Park; the unspoilt South of France, with its sunny Mediterranean climate.

We offer bed and breakfast (maison d’hotes) and a home cooked evening meal (tables d’hotes) on reservation. We are passionate about our food and use only fresh local ingredients in the preparation of our meals which are served ‘en famille’ on the old stone terrace.

The house is a 19th century gentleman’s residence. It has 5 very comfortable ensuite bedrooms and is adjoined by a beautiful garden shaded by a 200 year old Cedar.

It is an ideal location from which to explore the traditional towns and villages full of history, the magic and the mystique of the Cathars and the Knight Templars. There are wonderful walks and footpaths all around the house from which to explore the countryside, and hills full of wild flowers herbs and mushrooms…we can even pack you a picnic!

The Mediterranean is only a 35 minute scenic drive away with its miles of natural sandy beaches. Swimming is also possible nearby in Lake Salagou or ‘en plein air’ at Lunas or Bedarieux. We also have many suggestions for excursions by car or train to interesting sites and destinations a short distance away, or of course, you could just relax and read in our garden!

Surrounded by vines in a region with an abundance of wonderful wines to discover and taste, we offer guided tours and tastings either at the table or in the vignerons’ cave.

We assure you of a swarm, friendly welcome and a relaxing peaceful holiday.

Jane Neal et son ami Lits vous souhaitent la bienvenue dans leur maison, une maison d’hôtes située dans la Vallée de l’Orb dans le Parc Naturel du Haut Languedoc dans l’arrière pays avec son climat Méditerranéen ensoleillé.

Nous vous offrons une chambre avec petit déjeuner (maison d’hôtes) et un dîner fait maison (table d’hôtes) sur réservation. Nous sommes passionnés par la cuisine et nous n’utilisons que des produits frais et locaux dans la préparation de nos repas qui sont servis ‘en famille’ sur l’ancienne terrasse en pierre.

La maison était une résidence de seigneur au XIX ième siècle. Elle dispose de 5 chambres très confortables avec salle de bains et un jardin magnifique ombragé par un cèdre âgé de deux siècles.

C’est un endroit idéal pour visiter les villes traditionnelles et villages historiques, plein de magie et de mytique des Cathares et des Chevaliers.

Il y a de merveilleuses marches et balades à faire tout autour de la maison pour découvrir l’arrière pays et les montagnes garnies de fleurs, des herbes sauvages et des champignons … nous pouvons même vous préparer un pique-nique.

La Méditerranée avec ses plages sableuses naturelles est seulement à 35 minutes de voiture. Il est aussi possible de se baigner près de la maison au Lac du Salagou ou au plan d’eau à Lunas et à la piscine à Bédarieux.

Nous avons plein d’idées pour visiter par train ou par car des sites très intéressantes et pour des excursions plus près, ou bien sur vous pouvez vous relaxer et lire dans notre jardin.

Entouré par des vignes dans une région avec une grand nombre des vins à découvrir et à déguster nous vous proposons des visites guidées et des dégustations dans les caves des vignerons ou à table.s

Nous vous proposons un accueil chaleureux et des vacances calmes et paisibles.

from the UK please dial: 0844 2328284 (for the price of a local call)