We have had a happy and lazy week here. Happy because the countryside is so attractive and lazy because you don't have to go far afield to find something enjoyable and interesting.

We have had a lovely holiday in this comfortable gite. It has been great to be in a village with good shops and have not used supermarkets, preferring to shop locally

A pleasant holiday in a very calm gite. Never saw GASTON the donkey, but heard plenty of him. The two cows and their bull calfs kept us amused in the field opposite the gite

A lovely relaxing holiday in a very comfortable gite. Yet another Brittany Ferries gite recommendation which lived up to its description. Gaston the donkey round the back, liked carrots and became quite a friend. The trip on the D974 beside the Canal du Centre to Paray le Monial and then Digoin where the canal crosses the Loire was worth a visit

A very interesting week. Cluny is easy to get to and worth a trip. Also Solutré - great views from the top of the Roche de Solutré, and it's not a hard climb. I did it to prove to my osteopath that my dodgy knee was mended. Oh, and I bought some 2004 Pouilly-Fuissé in the village at 9 euros50 a bottle. Don't miss the church in Perrecy, and do feed Gaston the donkey. He lives in the field behind the garage and loves stale bread. If he hears you coming back at the end of the afternoon, he'll usually let you know. He isn't musical but he's friendly.