Les glycines / wisteria

Today we've crossed several borders, from morning mist to hot afternoon sunlight and drinks by the pool this evening, from slate roofs to terracotta tiles (always one of the most obvious and welcome signs of the south), from primroses to purple irises, from the just-opening buds of the Cognac vineyards to the bright green spring growth on the vines around Bergerac, and a linguistic line too when we saw bilingual Occitan/French street signs in Monbahus (although they use a word for street - rua - that we don't use in the Languedoc where carrieira is used. We are nearly home!

This beautiful old tree with its twisted trunk supporting a canopy of mauve and purple blossoms stands outside the hotel where we're staying tonight and which has taken its name from it. It's run by a couple who are passionate about using local produce in their restaurant and has made a wonderful probably last night of our holiday.