Orthez

In Balancen with Andrea and Kevin - the TGV got in at 10.34pm and they do believe in running on time! It is about 500km from Paris here.

We visited a usual haunt for coffee, and Tuesday is Market Day in Orthez.

It seems the whole town is out on the street chatting - the buying of anything is secondary! I bought much-needed socks.

There's a great hall of fresh produce - chestnuts, long green beans, strawberries, cêpes and other varieties of mushroom, and the tomatoes looked particularly rosy. Of course there were the specialties for France - the wide range of cheese, the horse-meat stall, and Andrea made a selection for dinner from the display of confit de cannard and foire gras - she tells me the fat on the confit doesn't increase cholesterol.

Then we went to lunch at Morlaas. The attractions included 4 courses for €10, an exhibition of local art at the Mayor's office, and this remarkable church in the town square.

Tonight we'll dine at home of course - that confit de cannard will be delicious!