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I live in a fairly remote, rural part of the Massif Central, in a tiny hamlet comprising just three occupied houses, at an altitude of about 570 metres (1,870 feet) above sea level. We are part of a commune called Latronche (population 137), which is about 10 minutes walk away, that has a small library housed in the mairie. On clear nights, we get a beautiful view of the Milky Way Galaxy, with zero light pollution.

The next nearest commune, called Soursac (population 484), which is about 10 minutes away by car, also has a small library. Our nearest is town, called Neuvic (population 1,887), which is about 15 minutes away by car, has a large library and cinema that regularly shows international films.

The local economy is based on forestry (predominantly fast-growing coniferous trees used for timber) and cattle breeding. This region is world-renowned for its breeds of rugged cattle, called Limousin and Salers. Drawings known to be 20,000 year-old, found in the nearby Lascaux Cave, bear a striking resemblance to today's Limousin cattle. Milk from Salers cattle is traditionally used to produce the cheeses known as Cantal and Salers.

The pyramid-shaped mountain, that can be seen in the 2nd & 3rd photos, is the Puy Mary, that rises to an altitude of 1,783 metres (5,850 feet, ie over a mile high).

List of images:

1. General view looking southwards from our living room, taken autumn (fall) 2010.
2. Typical view, taken at dawn from our kitchen window, showing the mist that rolls down the deep valley containing the upper reaches of the Dordogne river, with the Auvergne mountains in the background.
3. Close-up view taken at dawn from our kitchen window, showing the sun rising over snow-covered mountains in the Auvergne region.
4. View of a partially frozen lake called Lac du Deiro, taken during the winter from the small aerodrome, at a small town called Egletons (population 4,376), about 45 minutes away by car.
5. Wintertime view of the lane where we live, showing our house on the right - snow tyres are essential!
6. Summertime view of a village called Lapleau (population 423), about 20 minutes away by car.
7. Salers cattle - magnificent beasts!
8. Frozen lake at Palisse (population 230), about 45 minutes away by car.
9. Limousin cattle during the winter.
10. Double rainbow, at Latronche.
11. View of the Dordogne river, taken close to where I live.
12. Château, about 30 minutes away by car.
13. View of the church in Latronche, with Puy Mary on the horizon. The river Dordogne runs in a deep valley, that is situated just beyond the ridge of trees, behind the power lines. The houses beyond are actually on the other side of the river. The power lines carry electricity that is generated at a nearby hydroelectric dam, called Barrage de l'Aigle, that is about 30 minutes away by car.
14. A house in Neuvic.
15. A village called Spontour, on the river Dordogne, downstream from the Barrage de l'Aigle, which is just out of sight around the bend. The electricity pylons on the horizon support cables rising up from the hydroelectric dam below.