Our first stop for breakfast north of Carcassonne.
Then we continued towards Toulouse with fleeting views of snow covered mountains teasing us until we were travelling more east to west. The peak is the Pic du Midi with its Observatory just visible in the original photo.
Our first stop was to be Pau, where we ate a picnic lunch in the gardens of the Chateau. We needed to take a lift up the the fourth floor to reach the gardens.
There, we enjoyed lunch in the much needed shade.
The Chateau dominates the town and has lovely views of the mountains around.
Inside the Chateau, we were guided through the ornate rooms. The French King Henri IV was born here and, later, Napolian used it as his holiday home when he wasn't fighting against Wellington in the north of Spain.
After the tour of the Chateau, we set off for the last stage of our journey to Hendaye, 3 km from the Spanish border. The weather was improving all the time and by the time that we reached the Atlantic coast, the sun was shining brightly.
We are staying in a holiday park very close to the sea. We settled into our rooms and the joined the 'induction' which gave us our instructions for the stay, meal times etc, followed by an aperitif and dinner. The park is one of a chain of holiday parks across France. The rooms are comfortable, but basic. On a holiday such as this, we spend very little waking time in our room.
After our meal, we wandered down to the coast and set of for a walks along the sea front and to the port and Spanish border.
The following day we set off in the bus for a tour, crossing the French-Spanish border, passing the enormous railway station at Hendaye where the railways meet and on to the picturesque Basque country and the Bidosoa valley. We travelled through several small villages but didn't stop.
The first village was Arraioz in the valley de Baztan.
Then on to Elizaondo. It would have been nice to walk around.
After lunch at Zugarramurdi, the town of the witches, we had a tour of the caves. Apparently, at the beginning of the 17th century, witches and warlocks carried out their rituals in the caves. The Spanish Inquisition arrived to arrest them and burned 11 people. The day is remembered in June 18th, each year when the town celebrates (echoes of Novenmber 5th in England) with villagers dressing up as witches and wizzards. These were taken inside the caves.
In the evening, having been in the bus much of the day. We walked down to the beach again, but walked away from the border this time, towards the rocks. This was the opportunity for Pat to 'get her feet wet' walking along the edge of the Atlantic.
On Friday, we were to spend the day at San Sebastián. We had been there many years ago with Jim and Helen and have a winter gastronomic in mind, so it was helpful to do a bit of scouting.
First, we stopped at the old town and walked through the streets to the port.
This astronomical monument lin a park ooks fascinating, but precisely what it is, is a mystery to me!
We then moved on the the newer part of the town and the shopping and beach area.
Now it was time for lunch. We had been promised a treat, that was not an exaggeration!
Before we could eat, we must try the cider from the barrel. The ritual: first, catch your cider! Our guide removed a small plug in the centre of the barrel and a jet of cider was released. We tried 3 different varieties, but we're not tempted to try anything other than a taste. Then the meal began. Every course included a plate, each for 4 people: fish, salad, meat, cheese and desert. All accompanied by wine and finally a choice (1, 2, 3 and 4) of drinks of various bright colours and strengths.
On the way home, we drove along the basque coast, overlooking the Atlantic
Back at the hotel, it was time for a snooze before a short walk and cup of tea. We had no need of any more food that day.
Saturday was our last day and we were scheduled to go to the local market. Sadly the weather was not up to anything more the finding a cafe and a tea while blogging.
We returned to our accommodation for lunch and then back to the bus for a tour of a picturesque old town on the Spanish border: Hondarribia
When we returned to our accommodation, there was time for a swim before our parting meal - a paella followed by music of the Basque Country together with sing along.
Now we are back at home thanks to our excellent bus driver. There was a fierce wind when we stopped for our picnic lunch and cloud, rain for most of the way with traffic jams around Toulouse - not that is anything other than usual.
We now have 3 weeks at home before out next visit to the UK.
Pat and John on tour
