After a very relaxed breakfast, Peter and I went for a walk around Talairan and surrounds. First we walked up to the ridge behind the town to look back at the village, with the renovated mill-house on the left, the "new” church in the middle and the wine co-operative on the right.

We then continued walking over the back of the ridge and down though the vineyards in the valley to the “old” 11th-century church which is currently being restored by local volunteer craftsmen. Quite a monumental task, but they are making good progress.

Then we then walked back into town and adjourned to the local bar for a few beers and a long-overdue talk. We were joined by Kaye a little while later for lunch, a very tasty confit de canard.

All too soon, however, I had to take my leave to drive up to Serignan Plage to meet up with Rita. A little bit of confusion when I arrived there, since the venue had moved to the other end of the beach in the 15 years since I was last there, and I was trying in vain to find the karate camp at the naturist end of the beach! I was soon put straight on the phone by Rita and managed to find the new site, just in time for her to get to the evening practice class.

For the 45th Annual Camp, there was quite a turnout of over 70 karate people (over half of them with black belts) from France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, the UK and Australia. The view of them assembled on the sand at the conclusion of the class under the guidance of Patrick was quite impressive.

Despite the fact that Rita had not practiced seriously for several years, after injuring her ankle, she was soon back into the thick of things. Here she is working with her good friend Sarah (who was our guest on Kanumbra on the River Lot last year), and also taking a bow as she lined up as the sole Australian participant at the end of the class.

Finally, at the end of the long, hot practice session, many people took the opportunity for a swim in the Mediterranean.

Afterwards we all joined in the communal dinner, where we had some very interesting conversations with those from France and the UK (who were attending the camp for the first time). I think I got myself talked into attending and participating next year, after a 16 year gap. So it looks like I will need to do a bit of practice. But a plan is afoot to cruise Kanumbra down the Midi in June and moor at Villeneuve Beziers, which is only a short bike ride from Serignan Plage!