Wow, the temperatures have suddenly dropped. In mid September we visited Bourges du Lac and at 8pm it was still 27 degrees. Fast forward two weeks and we are back but sat in a lakeside restaurant shivering because a cold breeze was coming under the glass fronted panels. Brrr.
We had spent a drizzly day visiting a small village called Chanaz made famous by a canal coming from the Lac de Bourges and the the adjoining river Rhone.
And a look around the Hautcombe Abbey. I have never seen marble sculptures like this place!.
The next day was lovely and bright so a hike up the Dent du Chat was in order. This hike involved many rocks, steps, sheer scrambles, four sets of ladders, staples driven into the rock to use as steps and some chains to hang onto.
But boy, the 360 degree views were definitely worth it! And there is now snow on top of the surrounding mountains with a cold stiff breeze. Winter is definitely on its way.
Next was a two night stop in Clermont-Ferrand to see our friends there. It is always lovely to see old pals and their families (and to take a lovely hot shower or two). A quick visit up the Puy de Dome and then we are on the road again.
Next we stopped overnight in Mende and Janet went for a very fresh morning run as the sun was creeping up over the mountains. A lovely walk around Florac revealed a truly old, cobbled town with links to all sorts of old industries.
And then, because we were so blown away with it in June, we decided to revisit the Gorge du Tarn.
Wow!
Next we stopped at the Viaduct de Millau. When we travelled Europe last time in 2004 we saw this being built, it was nearly finished. This time we could stop at a visitor centre before driving over it. Pretty spectacular engineering.
That evening we found a lovely aire at Lac de Salagou just in time for a perfect sunset.
Followed by a great view in the morning.
And then another repeat from 2004 was to return to Carcassonne, as last time we only saw the walled city at night. This time in all its daytime glory – the yellow is to celebrate the city being made a heritage site.
We had an evening show of spectacular fork lightening and thunder followed by heavy rain at night (not so quiet on our van roof) .
We decided to head to the Mediterranean Coast via some of the Pyrenees and came across the Chateau de Puilaurens.
On the coast, just South of Perpignan, we found a lovely campsite and hope the wind dies down for a quiet night of sleep. Janet already has her eye on an aqua aerobics class tomorrow morning.
