We woke up early for breakfast and to get to the airport for our flight. The flight to Frankfurt was delayed. We arrived in Frankfurt and drove on the autobahn to Michelle and Mathias. We stopped at a truck stop for lunch. We got up to 200km/h on the autobahn!
huge white asparagus
We arrived at M&M late afternoon and they have a beautiful home. I went shopping with Michelle. We had soup with flaedle to start and white asparagus with hollandaise sauce and potatoes for supper. Dessert was a chocolate and chilli ice cream with strawberries.
We were up bright and early to clean up and pack. Caught a taxi to the station in Villefranche-de-Lauragaus. Good thing we know how to use the ticket machine as the station office is closed until 10h25. We are taking the 09h48 train back to Toulouse.
the river Garonne
We checked back into the hotel and then went shopping for things to bring home. We caught the metro to the other side of the Garonne. We had lunch on the river bank. We had a very long walk and got ice creams for tea. We went for a beer before heading back to the hotel to relax before supper.
Toulouse
We had a fantastic meal at Le Colombier. We walked nearly 10kms today.
We had breakfast at the hotel before walking to the train station and catching a train to Lezignan-Corbierre. We had one platform change in Carcassonne.
Train Station In Toulouse
We walked to Centre Ville and then caught a taxi to Argens-Minervois. We got sorted out on the barge and our first lock was the Pechlaurier lock which was not easy.
The sign at each lock telling you where you have come from and where you are going
We were locking up and the rope whacked my finger. Dave smashed his knee and we learnt that patience is required. The lock keeper did not help us at all!
The Lock Gates Are Closed
The next sets of locks were much easier. We got to Homps – 6kms and 5 locks done. We tied up for the night and spoke about what we needed to do for the rest of the locks.
Our Second Lock Was Much Easier
It drizzled from just before we tied up after a lovely but windy day. The rain continued through the night. Dinner of course had to start with red wine.
A Bottle Of Red Wine Opened
We had pasta for supper – chorizo, mushrooms and garlic and comte.
We flew from Cape Town to Johannesburg and then took an overnight flight to Frankfurt.
Fruit from South Africa for sale in the local market
We had breakfast in Frankfurt at the airport with Michelle and Jutta before catching a flight to Toulouse.
Toulouse
We checked into the hotel and had a shower before going shopping for food for the barge.
Toulouse
We took a walk around Toulouse, heading towards Capitol. We went back to the hotel to relax before heading out for the evening.
Toulouse
Had a lovely supper at La Ripaille. They were amazed we booked so early, but the overnight flight does not make for late nights. The owner only spoke French. We started off by selecting a local red wine.
A good bottle of red wine to start the evening with
Being in duck country I had rare duck breast.
Duck breast for dinner
and Dave sampled the cassoulet, which is a traditional dish of the region.
France & Germany 2011 