And after we left Roujan last Sunday we went on to Pezenas for a couple of hours of wandering through its medieval streets and lanes.

In fact we went to Pezenas at my request as my two previous visits had so pleased me.

On the first occasion, after dinner in a restaurant one summer's night a few years back, the four of us ambled through the same lanes and streets, that were then thronged, and soaked-in a night-life atmosphere that was unusual to us.

And last year, Martin, our friend the Kiwi and I took a day off to visit a foire de brocantes, an event that occurs from time to time in the town that, as I have already mentioned, is filled with antiquares and brocantes, not to mention artisans and atelliers.

This was during the period that we had good cause to be on such errands as the Chambre d'Hote was still in need of its furnishings.
If my memory serves me, we made many finds that day but there is one I particularly recall.

Just before lunch I spotted this set of six 1960's, red, plastic covered dining chairs.
They were funky, they were kitch, they were of their period but they were also well designed and well made.
The asking price was €50.00. No, like the pepper-mills, not each but for the six.
I prevaricated because we all agreed that they would not suit the chambre d'hote and I knew they had no place at Ballyduff.
But I wanted them, I needed to buy them.
We went for lunch and an idea came to me.
My daughter Alice would see them as I saw them.
So I called her in Dublin.
I described them to her.
I sent her pictures of them from my phone.
She wanted them.
I was in business.
So off I set to make the purchase.
They were sold.
And I can still feel the pain now!

But this Sunday past we just wandered the lanes that had been so thronged on our first visit and feasted our eyes.

And this is some of what, I at least, saw.

This was the sign above a woodworker's shop......

......and this some of his products.

This ceramic rainwater downpipe, was above his shop.

....and this may well be some of his work....

.....and apparantly signed XX

I would know latches of this nature as a 'Sussex' latch. I doubt thtat that is what they are called here but it is a particularly delicate example....

....and this knocker, on another door, bears the same shell motif.

Sue was particularly taken by these window grilles......

...as was I by this arrangement for the protection of somebody's pet cats!

And, to end, this is a particularly fine example of an 'off-set' or angled doorway about which you can learn more in Martin Dwyer's blog.

It was delightful stroll and, this time, we had the lanes almost to ourselves.