Perpignan

After a quick look around Toulouse we headed for Perpignan where we would fly to London the next day. The drive was spectacular-high snow capped mountains with small villages scattered along the way. The villages were beautiful with stone houses, churches, narrow lanes, and small fast flowing rivers. Perpignan was much larger than we thought and it was really difficult to find an ETAP (a chain of reasonably priced hotels-about 55 Euros for 2 with breakfast). Then we decided to go to the Citron dealer that we had to drop the car off to the next day. What a drive and so difficult. The dealer agreed to give Robert and Ken a lift back to the airport after they dropped the car in the morning but only if we agreed to do so by 9am. Our plane was not until 5.30pm. The airport was a long way from the town so we had to sit for the day. Perpignan also only had wifi available for 10 Euros an hour-so disappointing. If only Europe decided to join the rest of the developed world and get real with Internet access. Asia is so much more advanced. So a very boring, long day catching up and blog entries, sorting photos and reading. Next time we will choose a drop off at the airport! I loved France and will return. The French people were welcoming, friendly and most helpful. You don’t have to be able to speak French as many of them do and if not they were prepared to communicate with a few words and gestures. The countryside is beautiful, clean and the beautiful architecture quite different from Germany and Italy. Yet, I am looking forward to going to Ireland and England and being able to communicate freely.