Christmas is over, the turkey has long gone. The bubbles have disappeared from the dregs of the Champagne bottle after last night.

How many Dad's are slumped in front of the television watching the Liverpool versus Bolton football match nursing a heavy head and a slightly larger waist size?

The kids, even though they have had bundles for Christmas are shuffling around the room saying 'I'm bored!' and mum is putting the sixth load of washing in the tub before opening a tin of beans and toasting the bread for lunch?

School holidays are pretty rigid. Understandably, families rush to find a suitable venue in which to spend that valuable time together.

As a result the 6-8 week July and August period can become extremely busy. However, many retired or professional couples who don’t have those restrictions and remain flexible may be looking for that elusive magical break after the school holidays.

The advantage of this are fewer tourists to hustle you as you amble through that Saturday market or Bastide town.

Furthermore, you can turn up at the best restaurant in town without a reservation and of course it might be more peaceful as you take that long leisurely meal after a day spent by the pool.

One of the major benefits here  in south west France is September, October and a lot of November are still very warm.

Many travellers to France come for the sun, food and wine, but there another attraction is also the vast history.

France has also been caught in the middle of two world wars which has left her with many scars and some unimaginable stories of horror and hardship.

One such story is that of the massacre of 642 Men, Women and children in the small and typical French village of Oradour-sur-Glane.

Freddie Laker was the pioneer of the no frills airline service designed to make air travel much more accessible to all.

He challenged the big boys to provide a much fairer pricing structure but they killed off his dream and bankrupted Laker Airline.

His legacy though was to change travel for ever.

We are now available on French Connections so it is possible to see the new 2007 tariff and availability too.

Perigord Vacance is now advertising on the Meet the French website.

A fairly new website for holiday makers looking to find Gites accommodation in France.

Ironically I found the site whilst checking out Google advertising on our own site.

A point of interest, I have noticed a lot of traffic being sent to our site by viewers who have been searching for details concerning Eymet.

It seems there may well be a few planning trips or moves there. The key search criteria seems to be 'winter lets, Eymet' secondary schools, Eymet' 'Computer shop, Eymet' and the last one was Gite, Eymet centre.

Eymet certainly is a very picturesque town and also what seems to make it so popular is it is a very short drive from Bergerac airport.

Thinking of an autumn break in France.

There is a chance to pick one up on Ebay

Experience the Lot et Garonne at its finest.

30th September 2006 - 7th October 2006

Holiday for up to 4 people How would you like to spend 1 week in the serene surroundings of the Lot et Garonne.

Experience a week in the pigeonnaire, a recently converted and restored cottage on a private estate near Monflanquin in South West France. Set in 20 acres of unspoilt French Countryside you will be at one with nature in this peaceful environment..

Enjoying total privacy from all neighbours and exclusive use of the purpose built infinity style pool..

On arrival you will be met by your hosts and treated to an aperitif before dinner..

After you have refreshed from your journey you will sit down to a 5 course authentic French Meal with wine and coffee after and maybe a digestif.

Then the week is all yours to relax, swim, sightseeing or just chill..

The offer does not include travel and is self catering accommodation only (unless stated otherwise).

Towels,linen are provided.

Please check with us for details before making your booking as refunds will not be possible.

It appears from the enquiries concerning the Ebay Auction that there is some confusion about when the holiday is for.

The successful bidder can take the weeks holiday anytime in May 2007.

I am sorry this isn't clear and I will make sure, should we choose this route again I will make details more understandable.

Do you believe in coincidences?

I certainly do and this week it has re-inforced my view.

Donna has a little job updating a database for a UK company. Part of this entails calling people on the data base and trying to place them on contracts worldwide for oil companies.

Good news!

I decided as an experiment to try ans sell early season holidays on Ebay.

Success! The reserve has been met at 50 euros but I am optimistic that this will be topped before the end of the auction.  Remember this is worth over £500 as  self catering accommodation in the magnificent Southwest France.

There is still time to bid but you can always book direct at any other time of year by contacting us at perigordvacance

I will be publishing 2007 prices very soon but booking before Christmas 2006 can do so at 2006 prices. Email me for a booking form.

Alternatively visit the auction, make a bid. You never know it could be a bargain!