When we leaving the castle on the first day we left by the back door. It is a very steep climb up to the castle and a steeper descent the back way. There was a tourist tram coming so we decided to wait for it to pass. When the cars came into view it was full of Japanese tourists and they all took our picture! I wish I had my camera out because it was a Kodak moment for us.

We took the bus to Pennautier a suburb of Carcasonne to see a medieval festival. I think we were the only foreign tourists there. It was great fun with all kinds of entertainment all day long. One of the pictures is in front of a chocolatier. Waffle cones filled with fruit then covered in chocolate. And of course crepes were everywhere. The French people are so nice and helpful. With our limited French we seem to do OK. Even the bus driver on the return trip, who spoke no English, was naming hotels to make sure we got off at the right stop.

Thank you all for the messages. I can read them, so please keep them coming. I realized that I only had one picture on my phone of the castle. It is really really huge so here are more. The night picture was taken at 11 when it was dark enough to turn on the lights.

We will be in great shape at the end of this trip. Boarding a train with luggage, stairs everywhere and walking for miles. Carcasonne is known for its huge castle and pâté. Food has been great. Wine cheaper than Coke. There is a music festival in town. There are musicians playing everywhere and the place is jammed with people. It didn’t get dark until 10:30 last night.

Took the train to Albi. Touted the city & visited the cathedral and the beautiful garden. The Tarn river is very high and running fast. Returned to Toulouse in the late evening.