A Crusade to Carcassonne.

VILLENEUVE LES MAGUELON.

The clocks go forward overnight so it seems that we have a long lie in but in reality we're awake at our normal time. It's Mothers Day so Rosie has cards to open. We take a leisurely breakfast and hit the road by midday. We're able to fill the water tank but have to resort to emptying the grey water in the grass.

Our first stop is at Carcassonne. We find a great car park until we realise motorhomes are prohibited. Risk a quick cup of coffee and find roadside parking.

The signed route to the walled city is closed for maintenance. A woman coming down explains this to Rosie in French. It takes a couple of minutes before they realise that they are both English.

We discover alternative steps further along the road. Quite a steep climb, I don't think that I would have relished storming this castle. Enjoy a pleasant walk around the city in the sunshine. Even the church is open and doesn't require an entrance fee.

We're headed to Montagnac for the overnight stop. En route we find a site at Ouveillan. It looks to be a nice village but the site is small and the available space is near the waste water grid. Unfortunately, Montagnac has been barricaded off so we head for the coast at Frontignac. This site doesn't open until May!

Frustrated we choose Saint Gilles, 2 hours away. Shortly, we notice a sign for an Aire at Villenueve and opt to stay (it's already after 6pm). It costs 12.50 euro but offers security and we discover free electricity.