I thought Chicago was the windy city?

The last few posts have been quite lengthy and, despite my propensity to talk (spare a thought for James who is the only person who I can converse with that speaks English!), I have actually tried to keep them brief but am finding it difficult to do so when there is so much to report. So, on James’ suggestion, I will endeavour to write them more frequently, but with fewer words. So here is attempt at brevity number 1:

Our (what we thought would be a) relatively short drive from Vielha back into southern France was anything but, however, it was not an unpleasant one. The main image that really stuck was the fact that neither of us could really recall seeing green grass since leaving Northern Spain but on this side of the Pyrenees it was everywhere, despite winter being on its way.

The temperature has certainly been dropping but for the first time it has been windy. The morning after arriving in Carcassonne we walked up to the old city to see the restored citadel and castle and it was freezing. The city has 2 sets of walls surrounding it; when we ‘strolled’ along between them it was like walking in a wind tunnel and feeling like the flying nun. Needless to say we did not walk the entire 3kms and tried to get out of the wind by heading into the city section, only to find that the narrow, cobbled streets had the same effect. So what do you do when you’re cold, hungry and want to get out of the wind in France? Have a 3 course lunch and half a litre of wine! Hint to other travelers: check first that there is not a room full of American tourists on a tour, complete with name tags, above you and that the bloody French don’t think it’s not that cold and have the fans going!

Despite the wind continuing the next day we went for a drive to Minerve and decided to take the scenic route. This consisted of going up into the mountains which began well and ended with us driving through cloud, with fog lights on only being able to see about 10 feet in front of us – not so scenic, more Harry Potter with Dementors gliding out of the swirling mist. Nevertheless, it was an experience we will remember. Minerve sits atop a craggy outthrust of rock between 2 gorges and was very bleak in the wind but worth the drive. All in all Carcassonne has been a step back to medieval times and the weather definitely mirrored the setting.

Next is Provence, with all of its gastronomical delights. Thank god I packed some ‘eating pants’. I just hope that no one notices I keep wearing the same outfit!