Already you miss, right?
As I wrote in my first post, the weekend trips would have a separate space, so why not just start with the last, yesterday's (Saturday, June 23), or a trip dedicated to the Cathar castles? Who were the Cathars (also known as Albigenses)? I will not give too much explanation, wikipedia provides an excellent summary, the most interesting thing is that it is said that the Cathars, called heretics by the Church and France (jealous of their power which was expanding) were held by the Treasury of the Templars and also possessed the Holy Grail!
Rennes-Le-Chateau
course, the route could only start a of the most famous churches, and mysterious, that thanks to the book "The Da Vinci Code" has increased his fame.
parties from Toulouse in the morning, we stop at that Couiza to stock up on food in a Despar (the our itinerary includes lunch, baguette result, and relish for me and the Prince Dolcino a "cool and nuts" by 'fresh air but devastating) and to recover and Compeed patches in pharmacy, as the genius who is writing this Friday has seen fit to destroy an elbow dropping dead weight on the gravel.
Without digressing too much, back to our mystical journey we reach the famous church.
arrived in the village, the first thing we see is the bizarre (and not at all Cathar) Torre Magdala, and with a beautiful view across the valley, really beautiful, built in the nineteenth century. by the mysterious Cardinal Sauniere, the same that restored the famous church. Avoided the inside of the tower, we head to the church just
of Rennes-Le-Chateau, which of course could only be dedicated to Mary Magdalene ...
The impact is difficult to describe the church, a church is small and hidden among the houses, but as soon as there is the front seems to be a movie set.
We spoke of the restoration work done by Sauniere, well there really wonder how a town so small and lost the priest has found the money
necessary to make such a rich church. I hope from my photos are unable to make the idea. Surely even more impressive is the garden adjoining the church, with the entrance a bit 'disturbing the cemetery (complete with skull-pirate) but especially with the cross in the center and its base at the foot of which there are several
"cups" and where there is so much famous words "Christus AOMPS defendit" that still has not been clearly deciphered. I actually I did, I can not write here of course meaning, but the photos are proof that I have found the Holy Grail and how it is now in my possession ...
The Castle of Termes
concluded the visit to the church, we head towards Termes making a quick stop in Arques to see only from outside the castle (no big deal ). We arrive at Termes and after an uphill walk of about twenty minutes (under a sun quite exhausting) we reach the castle, or rather we reach what is left. Termes was one of the most strenuous Cathar castles and siege gave the French only because of dysentery caused by the poor maintenance of water tanks, yes you read right. The castle was destroyed in the seventeenth century it became a den of robbers. The ruins are still very interesting, intriguing and the most beautiful thing left standing is the window with cross-shaped opening of what was once the church. Sure it adds a slight air of mystery and even mysticism of the place.
Castle Peyrepertuse
Last castle of our itinerary is what we have for simplicity renamed to Pimperepettennusa (not very different from the French name).
passed through villages where the natives probably our view avran said: "Look, you got another iron horse! E 'already on the third year "at the car park located under the imposing walls of the castle, where we wait half an hour's walk uphill from some twig and stone steps that fool you with their little roughness but that traps you encounter slippery when you least expect it.
Surrounded by long walls built in a shape to the point that words on the side of the mountain, the ruins of the fortress are really beautiful, it's like stepping back 800 years imagining Ser Guillame (the last to abandon it) from the top of the fortress can keep an eye on both valleys, the North and the South is also seen in the nearby castle of Quéribus, we have not had time to go and visit, and also according to the said the guide should also be seen the sea, but the sky was a bit 'cloudy and the view was not quite clear. Too bad!
How can I hope to show some photos, the view is breathtaking, overlooking the rocks of the mountain for the view that sin in general in this part of France, does not offer anything special, it is rather dull. When you travel, despite the hundreds of miles you can go by, the landscape around you is always the same!
Far Petrol in France
After the visit (at 20), the episode more "fun" of the day.
If you find yourself in France in the car, here's a quick lesson: FATE OF PETROL DAY! The self-service here
ONLY accept credit cards, and so far could also be good, too bad that accept MasterCard and Visa only if the microchip. With the magnetic stripe only accept American Express (or so it seems, none of us have it and we are not sure ...). The thing is absurd, because wherever he pays no problems with the Visa Electron (also transfer), even from the same gas stations! Only ATMs not PhotoLine.
We find it in reserve in the middle of roads where a car passes every 5 minutes and none of those stops for gas ... After a few attempts Outreach roadside we can stop a couple of cars, the second is led by a guy who offers to help, he pays for us and we give them the money in cash ...
Perpignan (with the feast of Saint Jean)
(for photos, I thank you Amir)
After losing more than an hour into this, we head towards the nearby Perpignan, a town very close to the Mediterranean and very close to Spain. The main impression of the newly arrived is immediately aware of being near the sea, even if it is 15 km away, the air, the people, the terrace of the restaurants in the square.
In addition, a captain in this nice city especially at night when there are celebrations of Saint Jean! Yes, the same S. John will be celebrating tonight in Turin.
We have dinner in a restaurant with a English food very nice, large bathroom where a cellophane cover slides over the shaft every time you sit down. Made you want to sedertici even if you did not need! It would be more than anything else served after dinner, as the plate included "Bolas" meat with white beans ...
Just enough time to pay the bill and start the fireworks (no, not my real ones ...) from what I believe is the city's castle, but given the dark and fleeting visit could also be a normal building. However
the palace / castle on the river, the fireworks were really beautiful, with music and light, was one of the few times that I could say that the show was the most beautiful of our fires. .. This year, unfortunately I can not make the comparison, but at least I can say I saw the fires of St. John the same!
Gone the fires of course back to campus, destroyed, arrive at 2:00, we're emptying the machine when I and C. we realize that you forgot one thing: Dolcino "cool and nuts" bought Despar in the morning ... Obviously, not being able to throw away, you can imagine how the end of the evening was "sweet", accompanied by fresh beer ...
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