What a grey day!

Saturday 14th October 2017 - Cazilhac, near Carcassonne.

Travelled to Carcassonne and did a Lidl shop on the way.  It was so much better than the Aldi we visited last time we shopped.

We travelled through (and near) wine areas that were familiar names to us.  Corbieres, St Chinan and Minervois.  None of these wines are the expensive posh wines but they are lovely never the less.  Probably just as good anyway.  I wish we could have stopped and done some sampling.

The day was rather grey.  I nearly said that it was cool but it wasn't really so cold as I was comfortable in my shorts and T shirt.  You probably thought I was going to make a reference to Larry Grayson, whose catchphrase was 'What a gay day' instead of a grey day but I wouldn't stoop so low to make a pun...or would I?  We arrived at the site at a village outside Carcassonne around lunchtime and later cycled into the old medieval city.

If I get a better picture (with some sunshine) I will post it but this photo shows something of the massive and complete city wall and towers.  It is full of shops and restaurants and is exceptionally beautiful.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


One thing we noticed was the price of eating at the restaurants.  When considering that it is a major tourist attraction we were surprised that the prices were so much cheaper than Provence.  Three course meals were available from between 12.50 euro to 16.50 euro.  You struggled to get one course for under 20 euro in Provence, not that we eat out much.

We didn't go into the newer part of the town.  We are saving that for another day.  I suspect it will be cool and breezy for the next few days so we will get some cycling done.

Back at the site I noticed that the large motorhome next door was on a diagonal slope and wasn't chocked.  Janice has accused me of having an obsession about levelling the van.  Not only that, she says I also have an obsession about cycle seat heights.  What a sweeping criticism.....we haven't been married for 6 months yet and she is giving me some grief!  I will admit to having exacting standards about levelling the van and I can't believe the people (two older couples) next door can have a proper night sleep. Our van will be perfectly flat.....we could play billiards on our floor!  I'm not having the saddle height obsession though...well, not much!

The site is nice enough.  It is quiet at this time of year.  The showers are warm, almost hot which makes a change.  It has good wifi too, so we get the chance to listen to BBC radio iplayer again - we boogied the evening away to a replay of Ken Bruce's Friday morning programme.....we know how to live.  We also opened a box of St Firmin red wine from Uzes, nice.

A nice reminder of home to end the day....

Whisky made in the Lake District, courtesy of neighbours Linda and Tim, cheers.


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