Friday September 24^th

We are now on the road between Denia and Barcelona en route to Madeleine’s house in Toulouse. We have another 8 hour drive today. We had a lovely time with Cynthia and Terry in their villa which is fabulous complete with swimming pool, Jacuzzi and numerous en suite bedrooms! They had a meal prepared for us when we arrived which was very welcome. Yesterday we went into Pego their nearest little town, in the afternoon we had a long walk along the sea front in Denia starting at the marina. That was very pleasant it clouded over but was still very warm. We got back to their place with just half an hour to get changed before we set off to a restaurant in the Jalon valley. It was an interesting journey out there driving up through mountainous areas with terraces of orange groves stretching as far as the eye could see. We enjoyed the meal the restaurant was full of Brits the owner was Spanish but had worked in Ware in Hertfordshire and spoke excellent English. In this area there are so many English speakers I don’t think many of the Brits learn much Spanish at all. As we drive through the countryside here we are amazed at the number of fortresses built at the highest points. Many of them look very Moorish. Evidently the moors got right up to the Pyrenees so their influence isn’t confined to Southern Spain only.

It was great to catch up with Cynthia and Terry. They give us all the latest news on people we all know in Louth. They are thrilled at the moment to discover they are to have another grandchild in February. Richard is settling down with a girl called Lindsay who is a teacher from Sunderland (she has got to be a decent sort of person with that description). Presently she is working in Old Leake, Lincs.

I am enjoying this journey as we are following the coast at the moment as we make our way to France. I can see the Med on our right, beautiful weather again today. I saw the UK news at Cynthia’s and it said it was 12 degrees in parts, can’t say I’m looking forward to going back to cooler climes. Can’t wait to see the boys again though!!!

We are going up via Perpignan, Narbonne, Carcasson on our way to Toulouse.

Arrived here in Toulouse about 8 pm Madeleine had a super 3 course meal ready for us and we eventually got to bed around 1 am after spending time catching up on the last 3 years. Off to explore Toulouse soon. Having difficulty typing now as all the letters on a French keyboard are in the wrong place.