JULIEN - 09-SEP

 Today's ride is to the hilltop town of Domme featuring a grueling climb to the medieval walled city.

First things first - our daily bread. This boulangerie is in Carsac-Aillac. Better than our local boulangerie in Saint Julien. 

Success brings smiles to Kim's face. Better than the bread was the pastries for our coffee stop in Domme.

Foie Gras to the left of us, foie gras to the right of us, into the valley of foie gras road the two of us.

Up and over gets the blood flowing enough to get the jackets off. It is going to be a warm one today.

The operative word is "mont" which is a logical place to put a fort.

Not the highest point in the area but easily defended from the amassing hordes.

Top of the climb...

And ready for the downhill to the river below.

Road flattens out along the river.

Looking down river to the west. The Dordogne flows out into the Atlantic.

Along the beaten path but much preferred to another up and over.

Walking the bike is prudent when the path is narrow, gravel, and irregular. No sense risking a puncture or fall. 

Domme straight ahead at the start of the ascent. 

Upon entering the town we check the map for Centre Ville. We decide not to venture farther north and steep uphill. Notice the three !!! on the far end of town. That is the panoramic overlook which comes a few days later. 

The smart way to get around town, especially for the faint of heart and physically diminished. 

Memorial to fallen soldiers from both world wars. 

A well deserved and definitely earned coffee and pastry stop.

None of that fruity stuff for me. Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, an essential food group.

Funky sculpture of no great significance. Every town has one. 

Sortie and much anticipated downhill. 

Much to our chagrin is an unexpected climb between Domme and home. 

Kim cut the pedaling part short and decided to stroll the last half mile. Good move since the mercury was steadily rising. 

Another round of guess the crop. We recognize corn or sun flowers but many of the fields escape our recognition

In this case we had to consult our agricultural expert. Sorghum which the Chinese use to make a potent alcoholic drink but we are sure there are other less exotic uses.