Adore. Andorra.

We left Paris in the evening and drove to Argenton sur Creuse, a pretty town on the Creuse (funny that). Our hotel was right on the river and the location would have been delightful on a sunny day. It didn't matter so much for us as we couldn't linger anyway.

Our host at the hotel was lovely, but she had less English than I had French so I asked about what the hotel had been before it was a hotel and she explained that it was a flour mill. And yes, on the exterior it certainly looked like it had been a flour mill back in the day, however my inquiry was inspired by the fact that the internal look and smell (clean, disinfectant-y, nothing sinister) was more that of a hospital or nursing home.

I am left to ponder that forever, as I didn't find the answer from asking.

For those who wish to delve further, the hotel is very clean, well-kept, the owner is lovely, and the town looks like it's worth spending more than a sleep in - Le Moulin Saint Etienne.

We headed southward in torrential rain, which only let up as we neared the mountains.

Andorra is a small country that sits among the Pyrenees, sandwiched between France and Spain. According to wikipedia it has the third highest life expectancy at birth, in the world, and I don't doubt it.

If they stay away from the baccy, that is.

Tobacco farming appears to be a significant income generator, although tourism (particulary in the snow season) is touted as the biggest money spinner for the small nation.

Like the tagline for Cessnock, NSW is "Mines, Wines and People" (which never fails to make me smile and must be said with a rough drawl) Andorra could well own the slogan, "Tobacco, Wines and Tax Free", though the tax free part appears soon to be ending, which will probably come as a blow to the smokers who go there to buy cartons for 20 Euro, and the folk from the neighbouring countries who stock up on white-goods there.

I love hot weather and the beach, but there is something special, almost magical, that I love about a ski resort – even in the off season – and Andorra has that feeling.

Comparatively really cheap in Europe, our hotel chalet The Plaza was really luxurious.