Ali & I are usually too busy to go far from Le Couvent during the summer, so when we found we had a moment one evening last week we went off on a jaunt.

Our first stop was the wonderful Oppidum d'Enserune a pre-Roman hilltop village with spectacular views over the Etang de Montady. This was a lake which was drained in the 13th century, leaving a vast circular area of land which was then divided up into wedge-shaped plots. Here it is from the air and from the road.

It's just a short hop from there to the Canal du Midi as it runs through Poilhes, so we took a stroll in the calmer evening heat, beside the water in the shade of huge plane trees.

Poilhes is a good-looking village which happens to be home to our current favourite restaurant, hence the real reason for the visit.

La Tour Sarrasine is a really lovely restaurant which serves jolly good food in great surroundings. Take a look at the menus on their rather busy website ! If I'm honest I prefer it in winter when there are fewer diners, but don't let that put you off - it's well worth the trip anytime. The service is excellent and the prices are restrained for the quality. Dinner for two including a good wine was 100 euros for the two of us.