Let's share the road which is a wonderful suggestion for drivers and cyclist alike. 1.5 meters is a generous suggestion but 5 feet of space is an optimistic goal especially on narrow roads. We will take whatever safe distance we can get.
When it is time to shed clothes any spot will do especially when there is a ledge to sit on.
It is not often that we frequent coffee stops more than once but this very modern cafe is in an ideal location with plenty of seating, sun or shade, and great view. Unfortunately they will be closed for a week starting Saturday so this is the last time for this year. Maybe again next year.
The French love to wrap their hay - so French.
Remnants of old structure but good source of stones to be repurposed. Hope it is not an historical landmark.
Many of our rides lead us through Daglan - which is okay by us.
Dying on the stalks.
Although not our favorite path, we have taken a liking to this cycleway between Castelnaud and Daglan. It is a scenic alternative which is much more peaceful without the cars. Since there are few other cyclists and walkers it is not as challenging as dodging cars.
Last two miles that will take us home.
An expansive camping area has many tents, trailers, and RVs. Cabins are available for the less industrious campers. Glamping is a big thing here as well with some sites providing full event planning facilities for weddings and the like.
Happiness is seeing our Castle in the distance. Almost home.
As if our ride was not enough activity for one day we headed up the hill behind our place to a walnut grove and walnut oil factory. We decided to drive the 1+ KM, a very smart move.
We found the place as the sign confirms. In addition to walnuts they also produce truffles but not part of the tour. Black truffle oil is a delicacy used to enhance many dishes or just eaten in the raw. As our friend Ali has noted it is very "earthy" in taste like eating dirt - yummy. The pigs seem to like it but now they use trained dogs to sniff them out. Although not mentioned anywhere, it is possible that they are found around the trunks of walnut trees. They may use the traditional sniffing method or just uncover them when they uproot dead or underproducing trees. When the yield does not measure up it is off to the sawmill but not until they have used the choice cuts for sculptures and furniture.
A sign of welcome which literally translates to "Honor to bosses" which may not be what they had in mind but we are glad to be here.
A sampling of devices to liberate the nut from the shell. Hard to see but the female shaped crackers uses the spreading legs to grab the shell and do its job. Clever people those French.
After watching a short video chronicling the cycle from seedling to oil we got to tour the factory and observe every step of the process. Although quite labor intensive the modernized version of the ancient process uses tractors to shake the pods from the trees, gather the nuts, and crack the shells with mechanized equipment instead of laborers doing the job by hand one nut at a time. Once separated the nuts are ground to a pulp in preparation for the oil pressing process.
The pulp is heated to simplify the oil extraction.
When the mixture is just right it is transferred to wrapped boxes and on to the press.
This mechanical marvel now uses an hydraulic piston to apply sufficient pressure to press the oil out the pipe into the bucket. Seems like it takes a lot of pulp to produce a meager amount of oil. Walnut oil is more of a luxury over more traditional oils like corn, olive, sunflower, and rape seed.
After the oil has cured for a specific period of time it goes to fully "unautomated" bottling station.
The nuts that survive the cracking process as whole or halves are set aside and escape the pressing process. We managed to snag a few handfuls as we passed by this enormous crate. I am sure they won't miss the ones we took as it appears that even such a primitive business is profitable.
Keeping with the walnut theme they have carved these stones into their favorite nut and scattered them throughout the orchard.
Sporty little run about. A Triumph TR6 of unknown vintage with stylish leather suitcase just big enough for touring the countryside.
Wine and pretzels decanted from this artistically shaped bottle. Same wine and bottle Kim fell in love with during our stay in Pons ln 2023.
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