Sara and Robyn say “Bonjour”

Day 1: Travelling to Carcassonne

A good start to the holiday. Flight is on time and Sara’s Qantas gold membership secured her access to the Emirates lounge (even though Sara is flying Emirates cattle class).

Flights from sydney and then from Dubai both packed. Arrived Nice around 2pm and after a refreshing shower, walked along the Nice waterfront which goes for kilometres. Stunning sunny day, blue water, hang gliders, jet skis, very large boats ….

Did a reconnaissance to the train station (to see what platform I should use). It was literally just across the road from my hotel. I was expecting a station the size of, say, Hurstville or Strathfield. Instead it was in the open, had 2 platforms, an overhead bridge to access the 2nd platform, and an office which was closed (fortunately it also had lifts so I didn’t have to lug my 18kg case up and down the very steep staircases) …so there was a 50% chance of choosing the right platform!

Breakfast had usual array of lovely bread, croissants and french pastries. Was amused by the cheese with each slice individually packaged for consumption.

Carcassonne is the first port of call for Sara (sans Robyn). Train between Nice and Marseille (where I had to change trains) skirts along the coastline – gorgeous! Garbage strike in Marseille was visibly present with the overflowing bins at Marseille St Charles station.

Arrived Carcassonne at 2.30 pm. Jim and Marty picked me up and we drove to our chateau in the small village of Aragon, about 15 minutes from Carcassonne.

The chateau is lovely….six bedrooms, a huge kitchen, large lounge/dining room, a tv room, a little pool and deck overlooking the hills.

Had birthday dinner for jim in a lovely restaurant in Carcassonne.

And can’t end todays blog without sharing a chocolate or two