Well yesterday was our most challenging by far. We returned the car and walked over to the station. We had a bit of time to fill before the train left but passed the time reading and checking out the platforms. Brive is a big station and we didn't want to be caught in the underground tunnels with the train coming in. All went smoothly till we arrived in Toulouse where we had to change trains for Carcassone. Fortunately our Swiss friends Maria and Roland had phoned us to warn that there had been flooding around Carcassone. Thus we were semi prepared when we were told that our train had been cancelled. The flooding was so severe that the train would not be running until at least the next day. We decided to have our tickets through to Arles refunded and hope the highway was open the next day. Of course the station was heaving with people trying to sort out their travel arrangements so this took a while. We then had to find overnight accommodation in Toulouse and send an email cancelling the hotel in Carcassone. This is the second time our plan to stay in Carcassone has been blighted. Obviously we are fated never to visit because I don't think I will be able to persuade Bob to make a third attempt. As we heard further news we discovered that the area has had a major storm hit that valley and the equivalent of 7 months rain fell in a few hours. At least twelve people have drowned. This put our inconvenieence into perspective. That didn't stop Bob from spending most of the evening looking at alternative options. We did go for a walk around the centre of the city which is very attractive. There is some interesting sculpture and lovely old buildings. We found a very pleasant Italian Restaurant so relaxed over our meal.
By this morning we had found the coachline which could take us to Nimes which was two thirds of the way to Arles. Maria and Roland who are holidaying not far from Arles offered to collect us at Nimes for the last hour of the trip and we gratefully accepted. We were at the bus station just after 9am and bought our tickets. It was just as well we were organised because by the time we left at 10-30 the bus was full and one anxious woman was not able to get on. We have now heard that the trains have had to be cancelled for at least three days so the decision to opt for the highway was the correct one.
The coach was comfortable and we were prepared with our lunch and water so it was straight forward.. We drove across the edge of the flood area which is quite concentrated by the surrounding hills. The water is still deep even there and Maria told us than a camping area on the coast nearby that they stayed at last year had been destroyed by a tornado.
Tonight we are staying in a very old hotel with about 16 foot high ceilings of huge wooden beams and thick stone walls. The staircase to our room is very grand. We have had coffee with Maria and Roland before they returned to their oceanside village accommodation. Maria heard me coughing and introduced us to a medicinal "pastis". It tastes like licorice and is is a traditional pre meal drink.
Now we are off to the supermarket and then dinner. There is lots to explore tomorrow including the Ampitheatre next door for which our venerable hotel is named.
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