Cave paintings

Rainy day.  I walked up to the hotel and picked up some crossants and baguettes that we’d pre-ordered.   The plan for today was to go to the Grottes de Cougnac which are much closer to here than Lascaux and in which you can see actual cave paintings rather than facsimiles.  

There were two caves, a smaller one in the hillside and a much larger one that was entered through the back of a hollow in a rock.  Mediaeval families had used the hollow as a wine cellar but had never gone through a silted up entrance in to the huge cave beyond. It was discovered in 1952 and less visited, and having learned the lessons from Lascaux, kept sealed and dark for longer periods, everything is still in perfect condition. 

Mainly the chambers are full of beautiful stalagmites and stalactites and long columns but when you get into the far cave the guide turned the lights off so we were a few seconds in pitch dark and then turned on low lights to reveal the cave paintings.  It was astonishing!  Even little Leo was transfixed.  Paintings of huge elk-like deer, cows and sheep and ibex and even sketches of mammoths.  There were two of injured men as well that were more stylised.  I found it very powerful and moving.  Obviously we weren’t allowed to take pictures hence my line up of the postcards. 

After lunch at home the babies weren’t keen on napping having slept in the car. The young family went out for a little outing to Souillac and I stayed back and did some work.  I was hoping to go for a walk but the rain returned. 

Vikram arrived back from having spent time with Hannah in Toulouse.  Dinner inside tonight.  Cheryl cooked a lovely chicken meal and V had brought back some sticky Toulouse version of Madeleines that were rather delicious