05 August 2004

Chateau Comtal, Carcassonne

Last day in Carcassonne, we went to the chateau comtal in the middle of the city, and wandered around its exhibitions, and along the reconstructed hordes on the walls.

Before too long it was time to drive back to Toulouse and catch the flight back to the UK. Tomorrow we have to pick the girls up from camp.

04 August 2004

Termes, Carcassonne

From one that has had major restoration to another that is very much ruined... Termes Cathar Castle
This is situated on the top of a small hill with steep slopes to three sides. and a pleasant walk to get up to it.

From here we ambled gently back to Carcassonne, stopping by the river and a nice lake, but I forget the exact locations.


VilleRouge-Termenes, Carcassonne

Continuing the Cathar theme, today a very much restored castle at Villerouge- Termenes Cathar Castle.
Here they have almost restored the main buildings or so it seemed .. and it definitely is better to appreciate things than old falling down bits.




03 August 2004

Saissac,, Carcassonne

Near to Lastours is another Saissac Cathar Castle - overlooking the village of Saissac. Here there is a preservation work going on in the main tower to rebuild.


Back to Carcassonne for a walk along the river and canal to set us up nicely for dinner.


Lastours, Carcassonne

A couple of years ago with the girls we had visited the very popular Cathar castles (Queribus and Peyrepertuse) and this trip gave us an opportunity to visit more of them near Carcassonne .. the first was Lastours Cathar Castle
This is a collection of towers on a ridge joined together




02 August 2004

Carcassonne

We had booked into Hotel Le Donjon - a hotel in the old city in a fortified old building with enormously thick walls and wide corridors.
You park outside the city as it is pedestrianized during shopping hours, and walk in past the cathedral, through a small postern gate.

The afternoon was spent wandering around the old city, and around the "poor peoples area" between the two walls ... now just a paved area.


2004 Summer Trip - Carcassonne

The girls were away at Guide camp, so we took the opportunity for a quick break away ... Flight to Toulouse, pick up a car and drive to Carcassonne. From here we did a series of walks to and around Cathar sights.

11 July 2004

Three Cliffs Rock, The Gower

The other attraction at 3 cliffs is the cliffs themselves ... These provide some gentle climbing and just right for families.


Never good to have actual evidence of your thinning hair, but then I never see it normally!

We could not have asked for better weather (maybe a little less wind but let's not be greedy) .. and everyone departed in different directions.


10 July 2004

Three Cliffs Bay Beach, The Gower

The sun was out and all the offspring were keen to head for the beach, with the usual attractions of sun, sea, sand etc.

However the most enjoyed game by all the children was running down a long sandbank, with the inevitable falling over etc. which the biggest child of all initiated (thanks Dave, it will be remembered for a long time and dragged out at similar gatherings).



As the day drew on and the tide came in, we took a stroll up to the ruined castle at the back of the bay on the other side to the campsite.
A moment in time .. caught on camera purely by chance.

The group collective taken by Bryon.