Day 9
Woke up to another bright blue sky around 8 or 9. The sun doesn’t come over the mountain till around 8.
After breakfast, the first stop on the tour was Chateau Puyvert, a ruined castle ca. 1200. Stopped in a small town for 3 croissants, then had a picnic lunch after driving another 45 minutes to our next destination – Grotte de Niaux.
Niaux requires a reservation, as they only allow 20 people in every 45 minutes to see the attraction – cave paintings from 12,000 B.C. We were on the 12:45 tour – supposed to be in French but rescheduled to English since most of the rest of the tour was from an English tour bus.
It was quite a hike into the cave – about 1 km – and no walkways, few stairs, uneven ground, etc. Jill had quite a time with Kristen (who did quite well); I held the flashlight. No other lighting.
At the end were 37 pictures of bison, antelope, goats, etc., that were quite well executed. Very impressive. Took about 2 hours in and out. Kristen loved it; it was too much stressful work for Jill.
Next stop Montsegur – where 200 Cathars descended after siege to be burned alive by 10,000 Catholics. Not my idea of a fair fight. We did not do the 90 minute hike to the top. We admired the view, had refreshments at a 1-woman café, and Jill called home to find that unfortunately her grandma Millie has fallen and broken her hip and is in the hospital.
Tried to get gas at a scab gas station but the auto-payant would not take any of my 4 credit cards. (Ed. Note: now I know the auto-payants only take debit, not credit cards.)
Went home, had a beer and a Cuban cigar, and went out to an excellent $50 dinner at the best restaurant in town (per our host). Jill – salad, duck filet, citron sorbet, tea. Dave – salad, smoked salmon, steak, excellent cake, coffee, wine, water. “Au Pierre Lys” restaurant. Kristen was very well behaved.
Came home, watched French TV (most shows dubbed American, though I’m sure it kills them) and to bed.
Day 10 >>>
After breakfast, the first stop on the tour was Chateau Puyvert, a ruined castle ca. 1200. Stopped in a small town for 3 croissants, then had a picnic lunch after driving another 45 minutes to our next destination – Grotte de Niaux.
Niaux requires a reservation, as they only allow 20 people in every 45 minutes to see the attraction – cave paintings from 12,000 B.C. We were on the 12:45 tour – supposed to be in French but rescheduled to English since most of the rest of the tour was from an English tour bus.
It was quite a hike into the cave – about 1 km – and no walkways, few stairs, uneven ground, etc. Jill had quite a time with Kristen (who did quite well); I held the flashlight. No other lighting.
At the end were 37 pictures of bison, antelope, goats, etc., that were quite well executed. Very impressive. Took about 2 hours in and out. Kristen loved it; it was too much stressful work for Jill.
Next stop Montsegur – where 200 Cathars descended after siege to be burned alive by 10,000 Catholics. Not my idea of a fair fight. We did not do the 90 minute hike to the top. We admired the view, had refreshments at a 1-woman café, and Jill called home to find that unfortunately her grandma Millie has fallen and broken her hip and is in the hospital.
Tried to get gas at a scab gas station but the auto-payant would not take any of my 4 credit cards. (Ed. Note: now I know the auto-payants only take debit, not credit cards.)
Went home, had a beer and a Cuban cigar, and went out to an excellent $50 dinner at the best restaurant in town (per our host). Jill – salad, duck filet, citron sorbet, tea. Dave – salad, smoked salmon, steak, excellent cake, coffee, wine, water. “Au Pierre Lys” restaurant. Kristen was very well behaved.
Came home, watched French TV (most shows dubbed American, though I’m sure it kills them) and to bed.
Day 10 >>>
