Back to work proper now, was back on Monday, then two days of first aid refresher course with the Red Cross here in Edinburgh.
Holidays were great – need to book some more now!
Toulouse was a great hotel, made more affordable by a superbreak voucher from mum (thanks mum). There was a country wide music festival on while we were there so lots of pics of bands and crowds in the gallery (see previous post). We had a back bedroom away from the main square so not noisy for us at all!
Mazamet was a fantastic smallish French town which felt that it was still properly French. Lots of friendly locals saying Bonjour as Lorraine and I cycled past on our two days of cycling. Our base was Villa de Mazamet which is an amazing B+B set in a quiet side-street just 5 mins from the center of Mazamet. From there we visiting the medieval town of Hautpoul set on the side of a hill, went cycling and took a walk through the wilderness for several hours (worried we had got lost at one stage…)
Peter and Mark at Villa de Mazamet could not do more to make our stay there fantastic. Superbly appointed rooms in an beautifully rennovated house. The grounds were great for sitting having a pre-dinner G&T or for lazing by the pool catching the sun. Lots of extra touches made the stay the highlight of the hols.
From there we headed to the coast in our hired Diesel Citroen C3 – Colliure for 4 nights. We lazed by the pool and got a suntan in between swimming in the pool to cool off. Evenings were spent wandering about the town having lots to eat and drink… Basic rooms, but then again you aren’t there to stay in the room all day!
Finally we had one night in the Astronomer’s suite at the Maison de Consuls in Mirepoix to break up the journey home. More food and drink and a luxurious room with monster bed and balcony to view the stars from.
Dumped the car back at Toulouse airport the next day and flew home in time to catch Andy Murray lose to Andy Roddick. Fish and Chips for tea so not all bad 😉