It isn't too late to grab this good weather... and go swimming
As summer fades away to, hopefully, a mild and balmy Autumn, below we review the opportunities for that last swim of the season, for those not blessed with their own pool.

Gone Swimming

This week we went swimming. Well, somebody had to! We did Aquatic Parks, a lake and a Café with a swimming pool and have put together a quick résumé of each, so that you can grab a cozzie and a towel and head off for that last swim of the season. For, don't forget, once the kids go back to school next week, these places will pretty much close down. Some, like the Café Py and the Parc Aquatique Saul will stay open into September if the weather stays good. So if we get an Indian Summer, then you may just be in luck and one or other of the places reviewed below might be open. Best to phone first, of course, so we enclose the relevant numbers.

Lac du Tolerme
You sit on the golden sand beach and have to keep reminding yourself that Lac du Tolerme is only 25 mins from St. Céré. Judging by how empty it was this week when we went for a paddle, it seems that many have forgotten it is there.

We took a picnic and an eskie with cold drinks, but we still could not resist a barquette or two of the café's golden fries and an ice cold Amstel pression. We did manage to resist taking out a peddle boat, because we took our own inflatable. The beach is also equipped with a water-slide, badminton net and kids playground. The shy can use the loos and showers as a changing room. A thoroughly good day out, the added bonus being, that the water was a lot warmer than either of the Water Parcs we went to.

During the season, you get stopped at the entrance barrier to the park and get charged 5 euros entrance per car. When we went, this was unmanned, so we figure this late in the season, they have withdrawn the staff. Either that or they were out to lunch. Anyway, we just sailed through. The beach, of course, is open all year round, but the café will close. Quite when, we are not sure, so, as always, it is best to phone first if you are relying on a hot meal and a cold beer.
Tel: 05 65 11 61 83
They have a website: www.lac-tolerme.com

Crèperie Py
If you have not already discovered Crèperie Py on the road up to Loubressac, you are missing out on a superb swimming opportunity, because you can get a really good meal too.

Much improved on previous years, they have built a bar and covered dining area near the pool. Do not be misled by the name - Creperie - because they have a good grill menu as well. They have enjoyed a very busy season, which might have something to do with American chef Roland, who, alas, heads off back South to warmer climes for the winter soon.

This pool must have one of the best views around, right across the Dordogne River valley, with Castelnau Bretenoux rising majestically in the middle distance.

There is no entrance fee, but you are expected to play the game and either order something to eat or drink. Picnics and eskies would definitely be kicking sand in their face!

When we quizzed them, they said the pool would remain open if it stayed warm, probably until 15th September. That makes it probably the last public accessed pool around. They are, however, closed Mondays (and this Tuesday too, for some reason). When the weather turns, the restaurant retreats inside the old farmhouse. Booking for a meal would seem to be essential, judging by the number of people we saw being turned away. Phone for further info. Tel: 05 65 38 52 09
They have a website: www.creperie-py.fr

Parc Aquatique Saul
Between Carennac and Betaille, is another of the Water Parks that beckon as the last of the summer sunshine blasts us into the Autumn. The usual mixture of sedate swings and seesaws for the toddlers, through bouncy castles and trampolines for the younger but more agile, through to water slides (one of which is fairly daunting), not to mention, of course, a vast swimming pool. Pools, because there is a separate one for toddlers. A good café bar and lots of shady grass to camp out on completes the picture. Entrance fee of 4 euros (5.50 euros on Sunday) Call them to make sure they are open on the day you choose to go. Tel: 05 65 32 55 75

Canoeing
Alternatively, if the weather turns a bit iffy, you can go on the water instead if in it! We took the opportunity of a cloudy Sunday and the last day of August, to hire a canoe and head off down river. We chose Port Loisirs at Gluges, but around here you are spoilt for choice. It is a matter of picking which bit of river you want to see, how long you want to go for and, well, go for it. Figure on around 10 euros a head and you should be OK, although there are small differences between the companies.

For instance, set off in the morning with a Copeyre canoe from Gluges down to Souillac and you can spend the rest of the afternoon at the Parc Aquatique Quercyland on a free entry basis.

All the companies operate the same way, in as much as they provide transportation back to your start point (and your car!) in the ticket price. Caution, minimum age is 6 and all occupants of the canoe have to be able to swim. Makes sense to us!

Port Loisirs: 05 65 32 27 59. Tauriac; Gluges.
Website: www.portloisirs.com

Canoe Safaraid: 05 65 37 44 87. Vayrac.
Website: www.canoe-kayak-dordogne.com

Copeyre Canoe: 05 65 37 33 51 or 06 65 32 72 61. Gluges.
Website: www.copeyre.com

Saga Team: 05 55 28 84 84. Carennac; Gluges.