France (April 2014) - Part 2

The next day (Good Friday) also had very nice weather, although a bit more wind than the previous day.  Today's activity was to visit one of the Cathar castles in the area.  Our original plan was to visit one of the largest and relatively more accessible ones (after Carcassone, of course), Peyrepertuse.

However, FABJ started to get car sick soon after we left the freeway.  We pulled over in one of the towns along the way so she could get a bit of rest, a drink, and a snack.  She did better after that, but we didn't want to risk a repeat of a previous trip to France when she threw up in the car (less than a mile from our destination).

So we decided to visit Queribus instead.  It's not quite so large and imposing, but it does have an amazing view.  Since it was close to lunchtime, we started our visit with a picnic.  Fortunately, there were a couple of picnic benches that were outside but mostly sheltered from the wind.

A feeble attempt to capture the amazing view from the castle

The girls were real troopers on the hike.  They had their walking sticks and made it to the top without fuss (about a mile, perhaps a bit less).  In fact, I was the one who had to stop for a minute after entering the castle grounds, as the wind was howling through the doorway (which opened to more steps rather than an indoor space).  After a minute or two, I got my breath and was able to continue.  It turns out that it was the worst spot.

A bit breezy at the castle

We had a good time exploring the castle ruins (despite the wind).  Then we returned to the car and headed off for a well deserved snack.  The girls enjoyed their ice creams as we sat outside in a cafe in a small French village - a very touristy thing to do (so we did it).

Apparently, the Cathars were not very tall

By the way, note the Decathalon top that I am wearing.  And FABJ's hiking stick (purchased on a previous visit to Decathalon).

Once again, we returned home for a leisure meal.  And some ping pong.  This might have been the day when I won my only match against LBJ (she won 3, I think).  I was unable to resist the temptation to smack the ball (and keep it from going out).  Plus, I can't really implement my preferred tennis strategy of serving and volleying.  Those are my excuses - for now, at least.