We looked at a few places to replace a front rack for Al's bike but couldn't find a thing. Oh well, the bike is still wearing suspenders to hold the pannier in place. We rode on the path by the canal du midi it was an awesome path to ride if it wasn't for the 70km wind on our faces. The warm wind was coming from the Mediterranean and it was very humid. We made it to Castelnaundry late that afternoon. We had the chance to try a regional culinary specialty called casouelet. It had white beans, duck, beef sausage and pork and baked in a casouelet dish. The next day on Al's birthday we continued looking for his bike racks but ended up sightseeing the whole town. We settled for new maps, wine, pretzels and chocolates. The nice paved path ended five km before entering this town and continue on gravel to Carcassonne. The wind started again this morning and was against us all the way to Carcassonne where we stayed two nights to recover.
Visiting today this beautiful medieval walled city was a lot more quiet than the summer of 2009 during our camping trip the three of us. Back then it was difficult to take pictures of the castle, and the line ups! We asked ourselves how did we find this town and a place to park our rented car in the summer? We remembered that Hugh is a great navigator and some how we found a place to park.
This time we had the chance to see the chateau and the ramparts and your the whole little city. We also walked to the highlights of the rest of Carcassonne which has a few plazas, a couple of churches and happy streets with lots of shops and places to eat.
We took the train to Narbonne city and then rode 35 km down the canal du midi to Narbonne Plage where we dipped our toes in the Mediterranean sea. The next day we rode to Sète and yet another beautiful beach and clean Mediterranean ocean. The highlight of this little town is the beach and the sunsets. It is impossible to find a place to eat before 7:30 pm. We usually arrive into towns hungry on mid afternoon. Oh we'll, too bad for us.
The day after we rode to Aigues Mortes (Dead Waters) or swamps as I call it. The Mediterranean Sea has been filled in with silt and and change the landscape due to floods over the centuries. What remains are marsh lands and lakes.
Maya, a beautiful barge, was parked on the Canal du Midi in Toulouse.
Allan hoping for foi gras for dinner.
The fall has arrived and the wind was blowing strong.
I am still enjoying the windy ride.
There's something about these trees (les plantans) that I love. Is their colour, their shape and their texture.
Conquering the wind.
Gorgeous views of little towns by the Canal du Midi.
Five canal locks in a row.
Rental boats, and plenty of them at Castelnaundry.
A lake in Castelnaundry
Birthday boy gets to do what he likes.
Grain mill from the 1700.
Wine and pretzels for the birthday boy.
On our way to Carcasonne by the Canal du Midi.
Official photo of 2500 km cycled.
The path by the canal was detoured three times because the water ways works people tream or cut trees dead by the canal. We passed many farms and people's backyards and chicken coops along with other fellow cyclists.
Fall is here!
Having a little rest from the bumpy ride.
We arrived in Caecasonne.
Our favourite part of Carcasonne is the walled medieval city.
A large cloud of birds playing in the strong wind and flying in unison.
The city at night
City hall
Allan's new buddy
Inside the medieval city
This was a lucky shot. We heard and read that the Romans were the ones who layed the first rock in this site around the year 95. Carcasonne became a settlement in 1275. We also heard the there were remains of roman floor tiles underground but no one has acces to this. Well, I stuck my hand with my camera in a scary hole and took this picture. We can see the first layer of this city.
The official recipe of traditional cassoulet.
The Candy store is guarded
Last picture of Carcasonne.
The biggest church we've ever seen and is missing half of its original construction. This is in Narbonne city.
Riding to Narbonne Plage on the marshy side but dry path.
Along the way we passed nice little towns.
Arrived ar Narbonne Plage
Chasing the waves.
A good way to cool down on a windy day on the Mediterranean Sea.
A statue depicting a local sport of jousting.
The sand dunes are protected, therefore I could not play on them.
We enjoyed the sunset that day.
