Cathare Trail

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I posted some more pictures on yesterdays blog. Marleen and I are figuring this out. The Cathare drive was beautiful yesterday: So many castles and history: Not many tourists, which made it nice: We enountered a few europeans wherever we went and Ivo always had a nice chat: Me also, as I tried to follow and listen: Ha! I bought grapes and apples. Also Marleen made us great sandwiches with cheese and baguettes: So we picniced in a couple of areas and just enjoyed the scenery: Ivo is a great travel guide: He has a head full of history and also just good stories:
I felt the most touched at the old Roman church: So ancient. It was added onto in the 1100 century: The statues and art on the ceiling are not so clear in the photo. I sat for a while and just prayed: Also in Mirepoix; the church is from 1200 and is the largest church in Europe with only arches and no pillars inside: The art again is very beautiful. I sat and prayed while Ivo chatted up some Dutch folks. The colon is where the period is in United States, so I am just going with it today. Funny thing: The shops will close for 2 hours at "midday" for nap time. Even if you are there to spend euros; they turn off the light and say "au revior". So I have only spent about 2 euros so far and only on fruit! Today is big market in Foix, so I am headed to the square:

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Photos

Ivo and castel ramp
The bridge on left is the ramp to castle that is no longer in use. Lots of fig trees along there

Gate to village
Lots of Catholic icons everywhere

Walls of city
This is more walls. So European, but itùs funny to see peole living here in hundreds of years old houses:

Eating out!
Buying lunch

Church from 1200
Huge old church that is still used for masses

picnic at marketplace
Ivo and I eating the grapes in the sunshine

Another castle
We saw several, not usre which one this is

Comments

[Claudia]

Wow
Hi Karen, We love looking at the pictures you have on the Blog. I wish I had been able to get up the nerve to go! I am so happy to hear it is all that you hoped it would be. We are having a nice visit with Lorie and her family. It is so good to see them. Jake and I will take Luke to the Air Force Academy football game tomorrow. Love, Claudia

[Ev]

future vacation to France
Thank you so much for sharing planning a trip next year trying to fo find out where to go and how to dress ect. thanks again