AUTUMN IN THE PYRENEES: Carcassonne to St Ferreol

I had this theory about our route based on the fact that the first half, being near the Pyrenees would be more hilly than the second half.  Well today's ride blew that theory; we had as much or more climbing today than any of the previous days.

This is Friday, ride day 13; the penultimate riding day.  Once again the weather is perfect.  However forecasts for tomorrow aren't as good. 

We stopped in Ventenac for coffee and visited the church.

The next stop was a scenic overlook where Gilbert had stopped the van.  He treated us to a bite of chocolate.

Our third and final stop was for a decadent French lunch (2 hours, including wine and desssert)  at Le Salon de Vauban in Les Cammazes.  Jane discovered this small restaurant one year trying to escape a hail storm and returns whenever she can.




At the restaurant we discovered a product none of us ever heard of: liquid salt in a spray bottle. 

From the restaurant to the hotel was less than 8 km, all downhill - a nice way to end the day.

Tomorrow I might do something totally out of character.

For most of this trip our hotels have been typical 3 star French hotels; that is with pretty small rooms. The last two days in Carcassonne, however, we really scored with a two bedroom suite and a modern contemporary bath, larger than our master bath in Dallas.  However there were two things wrong with this hotel: (1) no bar and (2) terrible wi-fi - up and down like a yo-yo.  

So we didn't expect much in this small town of St Ferreol.  But we have a decent size room, a contemporary bath and excellent wi-fi.