Enjoying an Italian Dinner in Genoa, 2016

Enjoying an Italian Dinner in Genoa, 2016

Monday, March 27, 2017

Monday morning: Ketchup Day!

Time to regroup.  Dave and Dee are exploring the walled city of Carcassonne, Jerry is washing out underwear in the bathtub (I told him to bring more!) and I am catching up with you and then some Norwex business.  It's warm here but grey and windy.  We will probably be the tourists that hang up their wet underwear on the patio.  How Gauche!


The story of Carcassonne:  1000 years before Christ the city was founded on this site.  In 1 B.C. it became a Roman outpost.  The city suffered long periods of occupation at the hands of the Visigoths and Saracens.  In the 8th century it became the home of a powerful Count and started it's fighting history by defeating the Cathar.

In 1209 the city fell to Count Monfort after siege.  He transformed it into a Royal fortress to guard the French-Spanish border.  It was destroyed and rebuilt several times.  In 1590 during the war of Religion, the city refused to recognize Henri IV as king of France because he was a Huguenot.  It was rebuilt at this time and encircled by Ramparts.  It later added a double rampart which is still has today and was never captured after that.  One of the few that was never breached. 

So now you know why it's here.  It was restored in the 19th century and has since become a Unesco World heritage site.    Plus it is just really cool.  Now home to millions of tourists a year it has 30+ restaurants many with traditional cuisine.  So now the pictures.
The poppies are in bloom!  This is for Bobbi!

The Narbonnaise gate (just opposite our hotel)
First we eat



onion soup!

The castle inside the city


Place Auguste Pierre Pont (Church)






Praying for Patty.


beautiful church!  12th century.
Now, not only is this a World Herritage site, it is a tourist trap.  But not pokemon stuff, knights and swords.




Let's bring this back in the schools!



Oh how I wish I could bring all of this home for the boys in my life!
Finn, Liam, Duncan, Cooper, Parker, & Ian

Our hotel, Hotel Montmorrecy

Talking on the patio to the kids.

Back to the hotel to rest, then into the old city for a traditional dinner of Cassoulet.  Jerry and I had been here 2 years ago, and loved it.  It did not disappoint this time either.  Restaurant Adelaide.
Green salad with Chevre *goat cheese*

Warm Camembert cheese with salad

Bread, always bread!  As much as you want, always fresh!

We all had Cassoulet, White beans, pork sausage, and duck leg baked for HOURS!


Dessert was various forms of ice cream and sorbet.  And of course, Espresso!

Came back to the hotel to sleep the sleep of the virtuous (and stuffed).  Really, when you start eating around 8:30 or 9:00 it leaves very little time to socialize afterwards.  But 2 bottles of wine always ensures a great night sleep.

And that brings us to right now.  You are all caught up.  Today we are meeting the Reeds for lunch at 1:00 in the old city, then I am coming back and seeing if I can't scare up a few bookings for April (MOP month) and maybe some book work.  We will leave tomorrow by train to Arles (2 1/2 hrs East) Where we will stay in a hotel and spa.  I am looking forward to a hot tub!  I will write about the rest of our Carcassonne experience tomorrow on the train.  Au Revoir!
And, yes, apparently we are those people.  😁









2 comments:

  1. Keep the flower pics coming! Spring hasn't really sprung here. Enjoy, friends!

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  2. Ph my goodness! Laughed reading this post. Jerry's undies!! :) We were those people too. Ian would love that sword, but please, keep it there. I would like my new home to stay new looking. Trip sounds amazing. Can't wait to have wine when you get home and hear more about it. Love you guys!!

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