June 19 and 20 – Another Day Inside and a Rained-Out Balloon Ride

France is in the middle of another massive heatwave.  The second since we’ve been here.  Temperatures are well into the 90’s in the afternoons.  It is even staying rather warm at night.  The temperatures are 20 degrees higher than average.  The weather has been so hot we decided to skip our planned excursions for the 19th and stay inside.  But we were busy all day on the computers. 

On the 20^th we were up at 4:15am to catch our ride for our long-anticipated balloon ride over the Dordogne Valley.  The pick-up was right on time and there was a large group in the parking lot waiting for them. 

The drive was only about 15 or 20 minutes to the field where we would be taking off.  We were very near the Chateau de Castelnaud. 

We had noticed some lightning in the distance, so we weren’t too surprised when the pilots and chase crews kept huddling over their phones.  They eventually announced that a storm was coming in and it was too dangerous to fly today. 

They brought out hot coffee and after a short wait we got back into the cars and headed back to town.  Before going to the house Mary decided to head farther up the hill to see the higher section of town.  It was much the same…very steep roads, lovely old buildings and great views. 

Another view of Chateau de Beynac on the way back into town. 

Then, it was back to the house and breakfast.  We spent the day on laundry, on the computers and packing.  We also took a walk up to some of the higher parts of town that we had not visited before. 

Tomorrow, we head out for our next destination.