Carcassone Wed 9th

Nicky was a lot better this morning. I aranged for us to move to a site with electric, and by 10am we were all set up with the fridges running. The I did a quick up with the awning, much to Nicky's distress, because she felt we would not have time to look round the Citadel before Jill and Dave arrived at 12. I tried to convince her they would find us, we all had phones, but Nicky gets stressed sometimes. We walked into the city, the camp guide suggested 15 mins. but it took 25. We climbed a narrow track up the embankment and found an entrance. It's a fantastic place. It still has all its medieval feel, aprt from the shops selling childrens armour and swords and shields and bows and arrows, but even that is part of the character.

And of course hundreds of people. I found my camera battery flat, so no pictures. Why is there always something to try and spoil the day? Nickys camera was playing up, but we managed to get it going. After an hour walking round took a break in a square full of restaurants and cafes.

The architecture and buildings don't seem to have changed for hundreds of years although the guide books suggest some serious renovation has bee ongoing over the centuries

Nicky went into the Basilique of St Nazarre and was in there for ages. I looked after Sophie outside. (in France dogs are not allowed into churches , museums or onto beaches -- they can sit at table in a restaurant though!!-- strange how cultures vary)
This is a huge church high vaulted ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows. Looking up one wonders at the skill of the stone masons and indeed all the workers on such a building.

Nicky came out of the Church enraptured by four Russian men who were singing inside . I left her with the dog and went in. After a little while they performed again. I have to say it was absolutely stunning. The whole place stopped and listened. Beautiful accurate four part harmony and such matching strength in their voices. Enthralling!!

A quick walk round the rest of the city and back to camp for lunch and wait for the call from Jill and Dave.

Well here I am glass in hand. Jill walked round the hedge. No phone call, some problem I gather. They had lunched in the city in the same square where we had a drink, but they were 30 mins later! WE chatted had a drink to celebrate meeting up again, and then planned the rest of the day. This could have taken the rest of the day, but we needed a Supermarket to provision for the journey home, so the girl in reception told me the best way to the nearest and off we went, while Jill and Dave finished pitching their tent and settling in.

Old age must be having its joke. I followed the lasses instructions, but got lost. We found the ring road and all the roundabouts with the signposts all going to the same places ( or so it seemed.) Anyway afet 30 mins I found an Intermarche and pulled into the carpark. Nicky was anxoious to get some particular French salad dressings, before we got back to Spain. They didn't stock them!! Setting off for the camp I realized I hadn't a clue where we were. Trixy (Satnv) to the rescue. AS we came to a large roundabout I spotted a Geant Casino with cheap petrol 1.25e rather than 1.40e on the motorway!! I turned off and went round the roundabout 3 times before I found the correct entrance. I sent a frustrated Nicky into store to find the elusive dressing and went to fill up. I picked the pump that would only accept credit card payment. I had driven up to them before and confused driven away. Today I needed fuel so I learned a new proceedure.

Nicky came out of the store with arms full of treasured bottles so our only problem now was to find the caravan.

Back at camp we were just in time to catch Jill and Dave off to the pool for a swim. A challenge, so Sophie was locked in the car and off we all went to the pool. Dave met some guys from Scotland and we all relaxed. They had eaten a main meal at lunch time and we hadn't. So Nicky made a lovely pasta meal and then we all drove into Carcassone for a drink.

We walked round for a while, the crowds had now gone and then Dave found a bar inside the walls -just- with a huge chestnut tree growing through the middle.

Nicky drove back to camp. It felt cold so I put two blankets on the bed.