Toulouse to Avignon

Great start to the day, pulled out of the motel and we could see the snow capped Pyrennes in the distance, stopped briefly at Carcosone, a medieval village which eventually served as a fortress on the border between France and Spain, there was a 3 kilometre wall with 32 towers along its’ length.  It had been a stronghold for Charlemagne in about 800AD.  It was restored in the 19^th Century and is a very interesting complex today, giving an insight into what life may have been like in the time of Christ.  Next stop was Nimes where there is a real Roman feel, with a Colosseum and ruins.  Had lunch in one of the little cafes close, relaxing glass of beer and a wine before we head off to Avignon.

As soon as Pam saw the bridge at Avignon she started singing some song about Sur Le Pont Avignon.... or something.  Before we knew it most people on the bus were singing the song...I was feeling left out...but didn’t mind a bit!!!!  This town was owned and was the seat of the Popes in the 1300s, they stayed here for about 70 years then went back to Rome to resume their place at the Vatican.  This is where the Dordogne and Rhone Rivers meet, so it was a big trading area in its’ heyday.  The bridge only goes halfway across the Rhone River, it has been destroyed by flood and decay, new one has been built so this one is for the tourists.   We of course went in to the town centre and bought the t-shirt!!

Booked into the motel, I think the smallest motel we’ve ever seen...the shower is minuscule, can’t shut the door!!!  We did go out for a group dinner at a local restaurant which was very nice, sat with Kim, Pauline, Amal and Zena.  Had a few drinks with Alex and Rachel from Perth after tea, a very enjoyable night, back to our small room for a well deserved sleep.

Snow capped mountains...I know they are a very long way away....but they're there!!!

Carcasonne moat

 

On the road to Nimes

Arles Amphitheatre

Court House

Canal through Nimes

Nimes Cathedral

Gelati time

Pont Avignon

Avignon fortresses

Entry to Avignon Castle

Down town Avignon

Bridge from the walls

Gold Mary

Avignon Theatre

This is the entry to the bus parking, the buses drive through here to get to their parking.

Avignon walls over the bus entry

The group - in no particular order

Holly and Norman – Canada – nurse and psychologist;  Edna and her husband – New York (Indian) retired engineer and IT;  John and Cheryl Gold Coast; Marlene – Kiwi, lived in Australia, been teaching in London for 4 years;  Janice – Kiwi, living in Australia;  Robyn – Brisbane – consulting company;   Barb and Jason- Canadian  – nurse and ?;  John and Diane – New York – Physio and retired teacher;  Glen and Stephanie – Cheltnham – retired Pentecostal Ministers;  Jack and Louise – Port Macquarie – retired Hunter Valley wine growers;  Aileen and Alan – Tasmania – hobby farmers; Rachel and Alex – Perth – work in finance;  Rob – Sydney – bus driver;  Zena – Australian – lives in Dubai, works in media;  Amal – Sydney but originally from Syria – social worker;  Kim and Pauline – retired school teachers from Canada;  Maree and John – Canada – retired doctor and teacher;  Trina – works with disabled – American; Kathleen - American