Hard Hats and Hairpins - Fat Dogs and French Estates - page 105

instructions, using such languidly gentle tones that monsieur accepted them with awfully
good humour. In response, he rolled one of his eyes and chuckled about the undesirables of
Carcassonne (which I hoped wasn't yet another reference to the poor old previously perse-
cuted Cathars), none of whom was present here to defend himself.
The majority of the land was behind the main residence (fortunately for us because
there was a vertical drop in front) and was spread over 150 hectares (about 370 acres). It
contained a mix of evergreen woodland and lots of open terrain. Better still, it had two
natural water sources although, judging by the rapidly approaching cloudbank, I couldn't
imagine them ever being required.
But even better than all that, it was apparently stuffed with both petit gibier and grand
gibier , (small and large game) the revelation of which made Jack's eyes fairly sparkle with
delight. As we trundled sedately up and down several tracks monsieur would periodically
yank on the hand brake to stop the vehicle. This was a practical measure because the brake
pedal didn't seem to work.
He would then get out and take us to see his latest trap or hunting-hide from where
he could shoot and view sedentary game animals and migratory pigeons. He also showed
us many animal sighting spots. I suppose, as one should expect with a domaine situated at
this altitude, the terrain had a kind of interminable uphill feel to it, there being very little
in the way of level ground. This meant that whilst it was a very pleasant, sunny day, it was
definitely nippy and very breezy in the open areas, consistent with the higher altitude.
We continued and ended up walking to the highest point of his property, walking be-
cause it was too steep for the ancient jeep to manage. Slightly breathless now, monsieur
pointed down.