We drove to the Chateau of Mauvezin and took some photos. from Lourdes and looked across from the battlements at the countryside below, and dreamed of knights and Chivalry, before continuing to Montlaur where we rented a house for seven nights from my sister.

Montlaur is close to Carcassonne and is a delightful place off the beaten track.... my Garmin Sat Nav took us right to the house without asking any directions! Parfait - perfect!

The exact house can at present be viewed in Welcome Cottages Property reference w13329 and was very spacious inside, cool and calm. We arrived on Saturday afternoon 2nd July, and that evening went across the road to the local prom and enjoyed wine, music and dance. The Sunday we had a quiet day, and on the Monday visited Carcassonne and the castle, where the ladies enjoyed very much the souvenir shops, and views. So many tourists from Europe, Japan and the States.

On the Tuesday I drove to Barcelona in Spain, three hours away, where petrol sells for £1 a gallon and the minimum wage is half that of France, to see my niece and her husband - again the Garmin SAT Nav took us right to her house. They were amazed that we found it so easily, and my bother-in-law Peter now wants a SAT Nav!

After lunch we shopped in downtown Barcelona, and the girls bought bags.

There was something wrong in Pimkie, when the guard went mad for my talking a picture of the percentage T-shirt...

Unleaded in Spain was around £1 a gallon, and O2 had no coverage in Barcelona.

We returned to France the same day and Montlaur.

On Wednesday rest day, and boy I needed it!

On Thursday drove over to Narbonne Plage, and then shopping in Narbonne - picked up a nice jacket.

Friday and the girls cleaned the house, and I walked a few miles in the sunshine.

Saturday and drove to Paris in seven hours - fortunately French traffic cameras don't as yet recognize British number plates! Stayed two night at the Ibis hotel in the 18th arrondisement, near Place Clichy.

That evening took a stroll down the Champs Elysees and saw marvelous street theater event, till the gendarmes arrested the performers - such bureaucracy!

The next day we were out early, and I accompanied my niece up the Eiffel Tour. Then onto Montmarte, where the girls had some charcoal drawings made, and we had les moules at pommes frites.

Then round-it-up we went to Notre Dame, and mass.

Then we drove down to Cite d'Europe in Calais, and stayed at Etapes Hotel for our final night.

Last day in Bologne, and bought a nice anorak in Armand Thiery in Bologne in a sale - real bargain!

Then Speed Ferries and rough voyage due to weather back to England.

Contacted Jo, my VA Virtual Assistant at Catch Friday and learnt of new pending business. Jo updated me on Facebook marketingthat she had carried out for me, and needless to say my virtual world had inclination that I was away!

How about you?

If you enjoy my blogs please consider becoming a fan, at no cost!