I invite you to join me at Vision & Verb where I share my recent experience of booking a holiday to Carcassonne and the obstacles and fun that I encountered whilst trying to book that holiday.
4 Comments CherryPie on Jun 17th 2012
After a day walking around the walled city we had a change of scenery and ventured out along the narrow roads into the beautiful Rousillon – Languedoc countryside. This involed a drive up to Rennes-Le-Chateau, which is where the view in this photo was taken. The road was a little nerve racking due to the sheer drop which was luckily on the opposite side of the car to me, so I wasn’t able to see down. The view at the top was well worth the journey and the little church of conspiricy fame was very interesting.
We found a flatter way out of the little town and ended up going through some very very narrow streets of another small town. On one very narrow turn a man came out of his house. I think he was going to assist to make sure his house didn’t get hit, I noticed there were some bumps and scrapes on the house opposite!! The corner was navigated safely without his help which left him standing in the road for a few seconds before going back into his house. We then made our way to another very very narrow road that took us through the Gorges de Galamus which was also very spectacular. I didn’t get any photos going through because in ‘that car‘ it needed four eyes to navigate safely 
Much later we ended up in Estagel for a very late lunch which was enjoyed whilst looking at the very unusual bell tower. After this it was time to make the way back to the hotel with a slight detour to see the Mediterranean.
The evening meal was in a restaurant in Carcassonne beneath a canopy of vines which were sprinkling natural confetti onto the table cloth. The meal was rudely interupted by a sudden thunder storm and everyone was relocated inside. I was all for getting a taxi back to the hotel, but I was informed it had stopped raining. Famous last words… I got soaked!! The irony was that as I left the hotel I had realised that I had forgotten my umberella only to be informed that I wouldn’t need it…
10 Comments CherryPie on Jun 16th 2012
For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out Whistlestop PhotoHunt.
PS: This is a sneaky preview of my recent visit to Witley Court and Gardens. More photos coming soon…
20 Comments CherryPie on Jun 15th 2012
The whole day was spent in and around the walled citadel. This involved walking around the entire circuit around the outside of the walls, exploring inside the walls, a visit to Saint-Nazaire Cathedral and the castle. I will be posting more fully about all these places soon.
This heavy walking schedule caused my shoes to rub the back of my heels and no plasters were to be found… I tried to improvise by placing tissue in the back of my shoe, which proved a little difficult. All of a sudden I heard a voice calling and as I turned to look and a very kind lady presented me with two plasters. Later in the day a bought some espadrilles (which I had spotted the day before), they were much easier on my feet.
For lunch I had the obligatory crepe. The food was nice but the service left a lot to be desired! For my evening meal I went to the Adelaide and interestingly sat next to a couple from Adelaide…
12 Comments CherryPie on Jun 14th 2012
The journey to Bristol airport was quick and easy, the roads were clear and there was no traffic. Booking into the silver zone airport parking area was also painless despite a confusing message from the attendant saying the car park was full and we would have to wait for a space. There were lots of spaces…
The shuttle bus was ready and waiting giving plenty of time to check in baggage and have an early meal before boarding was called. I managed to get a seat with a view although it was cloudy for most of the journey. There was a little bit of a scare 15 minutes into the flight, someone was taken ill and oxygen was called, followed by an announcement ‘if there is a trained doctor, nurse or paramedic on board please make yourself known. Surprisingly there were three on board. Luckily for the passenger and everyone else on board he recovered quite quickly. I had visions of having to turn back or be diverted to a different airport on route.
The plane landed in glorious sunshine (22c), a refreshing change from the weather back home. We reclaimed our baggage an picked up the hire car (Renault Megane Cabriolet, automatic, diesel), which over time we realised we did not love! Then we set out in the rush hour traffic on the way to Carcassonne and thankfully arrived in one piece
There was just enough time to unpack before enjoying an evening meal on the terrace at the hotel. We dropped lucky with the hotel (it wasn’t our first choice, post coming soon), it had a fantastic view of the walled citadel and was only five minutes walk away. After dinner we went for a nice stroll to the walled city and soaked up the atmosphere before returning to the hotel for a nightcap.
12 Comments CherryPie on Jun 13th 2012
Apart from a fleeting glance while traveling on the motorway, this was the first view I had of the walled city of Carcassonne. It was presented to me through the window of my hotel room. How lucky can a girl get
PS: More on the holiday will follow soon. I am getting there with my computer problems… Normal service should be resumed ASAP
16 Comments CherryPie on Jun 12th 2012
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
King Solomon (circa 10th Century BC)
4 Comments CherryPie on Jun 10th 2012
