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Published: December 12th 2011
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Halfway through the week - where has the week gone to? Why is it when you are young the summer holidays seem to last a lifetime but when you get older time seems to fly? The hoopoe seems elusive. This morning I thought I saw one strutting his stuff in the garden but I couldnt be sure. By the time I looked properly for him he had flown away. In the end we decided to head off south in the search of pink flamingos, black bulls and white horses of the Camargue. Left after breakfast in the direction of the beautiful but touristy city of Carcassonne. With its well maintained medieval complex of walls it looks fascinating from a distance. It has been repaired in the past but this has been done tastefully and the new blends in with old perfectly.
Upon arrival we parked just below the walls on a car park which proved handy for walking back to the city gates. It was unshaded and the car felt hot when we got back. Perhaps in a few years there will be more shade there. It looked the sort of place motorhomes might stay overnight . The maze of
Carcassonne
Stained glass in the church streets within the walls reminded me of Mont St Michel with a combination of tacky touristy shops and others with amazing gifts perfectly packaged in a way only the French can manage. How do they make wrapping look so simple and good? Purchased two kitchen thermometers one for ourselves and one for our mother in law. At the top end of the city was the castle and interesting diversion from the hustle and bustle of the lower town. A good place to spend a couple of hours. A church was thrown in for good measure.
We enjoyed lunch in a local tiny cafe. Not much room inside but delightfully packed and we ate superb crepes. Lemon for me and banana and chocolate for Glenn. After lunch we walked around the walls. For the less enthusiastic or energetic there were horses and carriages. Perhaps one day I might go on the carriage instead of walking. I find walls interesting as I know that after an hour or so I will end up back at the spot I started from.
After our walk we drove further south towards the Mediterranean - a glimpse of the sea spotted at times through
Camargue
Pink Flamingos the trees and high grasses of the Camargue. Shops and houses painted white to reflect the sun off them. We saw black bulls on farms. Not quite what we expected as they seemed to be farmed rather than roaming free. There were also riding schools and farms with white horses waiting to be ridden by the tourists. It did not matter what your riding ability was as the horses were graded from gentle to more fiesty beasts. There was a horse to suit everyone.
The flamingos seemed rather elusive -much like the hoopoes. We knew they were about and we searched the etangs around the coast to no avail. Surely they must be here somewhere. We were just on the point of giving up and heading back home when I caught a glimpse of something pink in the distance. As we drove closer more pink could be seen and it appeared that there were 100 or 200 birds on the two etangs. Some stood on spindly legs watching us. Others with one leg and their head in the mud searching for the shellfish they lived on. They made a magnificent sight such pretty birds and so unusual.
Happy memories of a lovely day, no hoopoe today nor any cherries but at least I got to see the pink birds. Tomorrow where would we go to - Aigues Mortes and something to look forward to.
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