full day and evening out at the 'petite' village of 'Termes d'Armagnac. The day includes a visit to the
stocks !! A chance to see the beautifully refined tower and museum with interesting regalia and
wonderful views to the south. With jousting, fighting enactments, archery, crafts and history, metalwork, and mountains of chainmail, it was certainly a day to remember.
In the evening, everyone is given an ancient style 'smock' to wear as you are escorted from the
battlements by 14th century music and a torchlight procession to your table. ( Hands are washed
with fresh lavender and rose water before sitting you at your table).
Horses, serving wenches and occassional rivalry to include mock jousting/fighting enactments between
the different houses e.g. 'Gascoines' versus the 'House of Aragon' are part of the evening entertainment
as you dine. Certainly, on this occassion the moody presence of the 'Lord' of Gascony added to the
overall ambience - as you were not quite sure if he was going to leap up and threaten to lop your head
off in the middle of the second course !!! No- just a 'blag' as they say here ( a joke ).
Ah the food !! - well this was based on an ancient recipe from this region again from the 14th century
with a cereal base for many dishes. Our apero was peach wine, followed by a flower salad with ginger sausage and pate. The main course was pork (cooked so tenderly) with root veg followed by cheese and then a yoghurt based concotion for dessert. The wine flowed freely!! Unusual food and with a modern twist of course.
Finally to round off a great day, there are fire eaters, fire demonstrations, and an altogether merry chap
who insists on lighting fireworks on the end of a rope and then swinging these with both arms up and
around himself !! Certainly a spectacle - or a 'spectacular' as the French say!
Find us on Twitter Ray Parker @frenchcycling32
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