Chateau Dumas – My Spoof Diary

Saturday
Arrived early evening. Our room has amazing views and a huge ensuite bathroom. Went straight to the pool for a cooling dip then back for a catered buffet supper on the terrace. It’s so peaceful here. Stunning sunset. Divine foie-gras.

Sunday
Went to the street market in the medieval Cathar village of St. Antonin. Beautiful drive through gorges to get there. The market was brilliant – all woven baskets, handmade soaps and local produce. Lounged poolside in the afternoon then got beaten at table tennis by the children! In the evening we had a wine and cheese tasting led by the local sommelier. We tasted a lovely selection of white, rosé and red including some of  the prestigious wines of Cahors.

Monday
The men went food shopping while the girls went hat shopping! Our local town is the centre of the French hat making business so we visited one of the factory shops. Such beautiful and sophisticated creations! Mine’s a fascinator – all feathers and gauze ribbon. After lunch we needed exercise so one gang went to the Golf des Rouscous, a pretty and surprisingly challenging 9 hole

golf course. The rest of us strolled along 4 miles of winding country roads to Montpezat, an unspoilt medieval village with charming timber-built houses. The views over rolling hills and fields of sunflowers were just delightful. That night we ate out at a nearby grill which was excellent.

Tuesday
To St Antonin again, but this time for kayaking down the Aveyron. We got completely soaked careering down the chutes and mini-rapids but caught our breath over a drink on the river beach. I snoozed in the hammock in the afternoon while the Dads and most of the kids went to the tree adventure park – all zip wires and rope walks up to 12 metres high. Just the thought makes you giddy! In the evening we had a superb waitress-served candlelit 4 course dinner at the Chateau. Even the children had a catered meal which was served before ours.  The whole experience made us feel so spoilt. And absolutely no washing up!