Day 11
View from the house
Woke up to clouds and a little rain. Just had eggs (Dave) and oatmeal (Jill) for breakfast, Kristen abstaining.
Headed to the dinosaur museum to see some dino stuff. They had a couple of nice exhibits. Some life size models. Kristen got a souvenir mini-Madeline hat from the adjacent chapeau (hat) museum. We didn’t go in. This area used to be a center for hat making 100 years ago.
Bought bread and headed east for our outing. Cloudy but not raining. First stop – Chateau Puilaurens. The hike up looked too intimidating for a 3-year-old so we had our picnic in the very nice picnic area.
Cruised down the D117, missing our turnoff for Chateau Peyrepteruse and ended up taking the D611 north into Corbieres country, interspersing views of grapevines with castle views. Jill hopped out and stole a few ripe grapes – the harvest is just beginning. They were very sweet – not what I expected. You could eat a whole bunch.
Went to the town of Cucugnan – a cute place, pedestrian only. Just as we were to exit the car it began to rain, and us with no umbrellas. We drove into town despite the “Sauf Riverains” signs (Residents Only), but turned around after stalling the car on a narrow hill. Oh well.
Next stop – our planned hike to Chateau Peyrepteruse. But when we got there it was the same deal as when we got to Chateau Queribus ½ hour earlier. Closed due to storm. Well, there was some distant lightning, and rain.
By now, everyone’s restless from driving too long. But one last drive through the Gorges de Galamus. A one lane drive with pullouts over a 1000’ cliff. Pretty spectacular but would have been better in the sun.
Went back to Quillan and browsed in the antique store. I’m surprised we haven’t seen more. Not much of interest. I liked a clock but Jill didn’t.
Went to a clothing store but Kristen vetoed Jill’s choices. Filled upon gas (strike ended yesterday) and got a few odds and ends at the supermarché.
Came home for wine and the last Cuban. Played “Spiny Dogfish” with Kristen in the garage. Getting ready for dinner tonight at the last Michelin-listed restaurant in town.
Hopefully we can return to Peyrepteruse. Kristen is being a real trouper – having fun when possible and being well-behaved at other times. The woman in the store yesterday called her “trés sage”; same compliment she received 2 years ago in Sarlat. I think it means “very calm” or “well behaved”. But she gets on Momster’s nerves anyway; she really know how to push her buttons.
No rain now, let’s hope for good weather tomorrow.
Day 12 >>>
Bought bread and headed east for our outing. Cloudy but not raining. First stop – Chateau Puilaurens. The hike up looked too intimidating for a 3-year-old so we had our picnic in the very nice picnic area.
Cruised down the D117, missing our turnoff for Chateau Peyrepteruse and ended up taking the D611 north into Corbieres country, interspersing views of grapevines with castle views. Jill hopped out and stole a few ripe grapes – the harvest is just beginning. They were very sweet – not what I expected. You could eat a whole bunch.
Went to the town of Cucugnan – a cute place, pedestrian only. Just as we were to exit the car it began to rain, and us with no umbrellas. We drove into town despite the “Sauf Riverains” signs (Residents Only), but turned around after stalling the car on a narrow hill. Oh well.
Next stop – our planned hike to Chateau Peyrepteruse. But when we got there it was the same deal as when we got to Chateau Queribus ½ hour earlier. Closed due to storm. Well, there was some distant lightning, and rain.
By now, everyone’s restless from driving too long. But one last drive through the Gorges de Galamus. A one lane drive with pullouts over a 1000’ cliff. Pretty spectacular but would have been better in the sun.
Went back to Quillan and browsed in the antique store. I’m surprised we haven’t seen more. Not much of interest. I liked a clock but Jill didn’t.
Went to a clothing store but Kristen vetoed Jill’s choices. Filled upon gas (strike ended yesterday) and got a few odds and ends at the supermarché.
Came home for wine and the last Cuban. Played “Spiny Dogfish” with Kristen in the garage. Getting ready for dinner tonight at the last Michelin-listed restaurant in town.
Hopefully we can return to Peyrepteruse. Kristen is being a real trouper – having fun when possible and being well-behaved at other times. The woman in the store yesterday called her “trés sage”; same compliment she received 2 years ago in Sarlat. I think it means “very calm” or “well behaved”. But she gets on Momster’s nerves anyway; she really know how to push her buttons.
No rain now, let’s hope for good weather tomorrow.
Day 12 >>>
