Raging rivers and an abbey

Friday 4^th April

Our last day in France for the moment – we head into Spain tomorrow and will probably spend about 2 weeks there.

We had a slow start this morning as we were only travelling about one hour south of Carcassone. We decided that the washing just had to be done so got that taken care of before we hit the road. Then we took the scenic drive to Limoux – or at least the drive on not so main roads.

It rained steadily all night and to see the raging rivers this morning was quite incredible. They were dirty brown and just racing. I hope the rain has passed for the moment and we have better driving conditions tomorrow as we go through the mountains. It would be good if we actually get to see something.

We stopped at the ancient abbey of St Hilaire – off the beaten track but quite interesting to see. This place was used as an abbey from the 8^th to 18^th century and is still used as a church now.

St Hilaire Abbey

The Cloisters

Ceiling in the Abbots quarters

Carved altar telling story of St Sernin

Tonight we are in a small town called Limoux. The weather seems to have cleared though it was trying to rain as we walked from the car to dinner. The traffic here is very quiet and very pleasant to walk around the town square. You get the feeling we are the only tourists in town. Tonight we have gone upmarket on a hotel and the room is big enough we can walk past each other without one of us having to stand in the corner. Still, happy to spend less on accommodation and more on food and entertainment.  

I haven't commented before on the French people and their dogs. Why is it that they take them everywhere? At all the tourist spots you see them with the dog under their arm or on a lead. At dinner the other night one man brought his very old dog into the restaurant - not a small dog like a terrier but the size of a golden retriever.