ACROSS THE SOUTH COAST

We moved the last couple of days - right across from Cannes on the Eastern coast of the Med to Perpignan down in the Southwest corner, in preparation for another change of countries.

We stopped in for a visit and to spend a night at Narbonne. After finding a friendly place to stay and having refreshing showers and a rest, we ventured out into the town for dinner and a walkabout.

First find the castle (Perpinan)

We’ve found now that you look for the local Castle, Cathedral or seat of old power it usually has a nice tree lined square surrounded with cafes and restaurants. Trouble is that ALL the menus are the same and can get quite expensive. We have found though that the best and most popular French food can be found in every restaurant and every second block in any town, is the Pizza! In Narbonne we settled for pizza each and very good I must say.

Then you'll find the food.

Restaurants along the riverside.

After the food fest we wandered the town center and in one small square we found a group of people, who looked for the most part regulars but with a couple of tourists who knew what they where doing, enjoying an evening dancing the Tango. We stayed and watched for a while with my two left feet tapping in time to the music.

It really does take two.

Yesterday we headed down to where we are at the moment, Perpignan. Found a place for us and checked out the car return place at the train station. We didn’t have to get it back until 7pm so we took off to explore the beach towns that stretch down to the foothills of the Pyrenees and the border with Spain. One thing is obvious and a bit of a surprise is the Spanish influence. Especially knowing how chauvinistic the French are about their language and lifestyle. Seems though that these folks here consider themselves Catalonian as much as French.



Now we’re getting ready, packing up…or Sharon is while I do the important stuff. Not having a car to pile things into is going to be fun. We’ll call a taxi to get us to the station and one from the station to hotel. The car drop went smoothly and while at the station noticed the good looking sandwiches and drinks we can get for the train ride.

The next chapter is from Sunny Spain and the great city of Barcelona and some greatly anticipated paella for Sharon.