Last on the List
September 23rd
Our last destination for our 2 month journey in France was Toulouse. We arrived around noon and immediately found ourselves in major traffic...autos, bikes, motor bikes and pedestrians all going every which way. I spotted a parking garage sign and we turned in and ended up on a very narrow ramp into the garage. After parking in yet another tiny parking place we walked around trying to find our rented apartment. We got close but ended up calling the property manager who told us the place was ready and gave us entrance instructions. The next task was to get the car from above mentioned garage to the apartment parking inside the gate. Thank goodness for google maps and directions because we wound our way through narrow streets, past outdoor restaurants and finally to our coveted parking lot. Whew! Stressful for poor Jay but we were safely parked and able to unload quickly.
Since it was a nice afternoon we grabbed the bikes and headed for a ride on what we thought would be the Canal du Midi but the Canal du Garonne takes off from the port in Toulouse and had a wonderful paved and smooth surface. We rode out for about 15km before turning around to return. Getting from the canal to the apartment is a little challenging with all the congestion within the city but we made our way back...without injury.
After unpacking it was time for an aperitif and then dinner. The weather forecast was for rain but it hadn't started so we sat at an outside table at a little place at the end of our street. Just as we were about to finish the rains came down and we ran inside. The waitress was very kind and put us at a table until it was time for us to leave. We noticed there was a burger place across the street so we made a run for it and were seated inside by yet another very friendly waiter. The burgers came quickly and they were fantastic! Dare I say the best burger we've ever tasted? At this point...yes! We told the waiter that and he said something to the effect of "it's the beef." We asked what kind and he didn't know exactly but that it was actually from Italy. All I can say is, Bravo!
Our apartment that we rented through Riverside Toulouse isn't the best place we've stayed. There are a few issues with the air-conditioning/heating unit, the washing machine doesn't work, Jay had a cold shower and there is no dish soap or any soap for that matter. Oh well, we only have a few days here and now that we're parked safely we realized we are very central to restaurants, sights and the riverside. I'm sure it will all be fine.
Footloose in Toulouse
September 24th
We needed clean underwear, which happens about once a week, so we headed off around the corner to do some laundry. Because it was a Saturday morning and we are in the middle of the college student area I decided to get to the launderette sooner than later. It was pretty interesting to see the different students come in and out and I was a little horrified at the way they just took their clothes straight from the dryer in a wad and shoved them into a shopping bag or backpack. Meanwhile I neatly folded our garments and placed them in our packing cubes to haul back to the apartment in my carry-on suitcase. I kept thinking I was glad their mothers weren't there to witness this travesty. 😂
The train station was our next destination for the day and since it was a 30 minute walk away we stopped for lunch and did a little exploring on the way. We found the station and the taxi stand where we will be dropped off and the displays with the track information so we are set for our departure. I purchased tickets online for the TGV back to Paris which is about a 4 hour journey.
On our way back to the apartment there were booths set up along one of the avenues for kids to experience different activities. One group was learning to drum, another doing artwork and the last one was a kid bouncing from table tops to ramps on his bike. He was pretty amazing!
We were in the mood for pizza and found a place on our walk, made a reservation and returned promptly at 7:30. A quick stop at the local Irish Pub is always on Jay's agenda and today was no different. The Melting Pot is an interesting name for an Irish Pub but it had all the familiar pieces...wooden keg tables, soccer jerseys hanging on the ceiling and of course Guinness. On to the restaurant. The pizza's were really great, cooked in a wood fired oven with fresh ingredients to satisfy our appetites and then some.
The day flew by and it seems like we didn't accomplish much but at least we have clean undies.
Beautiful Bateau!
September 25th
It was a cool morning so we took a little time getting out the door with our bikes. We drove up along the Canal du Garonne and found a place to park and started riding in the direction of Bordeaux which is 194km from Toulouse. The trail is one of the best we've ridden and may have to come back to complete the circuit in the future. The canal is beautiful and we stopped to watch a beautiful little barge chug along the waterway and through one of the locks. This was our last bike ride of the trip and it was a wonderful way to end our two month bike adventure!
Toulouse has a lot of waterways coming in and out and is very near the sea so having seafood was a must for tonight. As we walked around yesterday we went by a seafood restaurant that looked good so made a reservation at Chez Jeannot. The menu is loaded with oysters, shrimp, mussels, etc and the fresh board of fish is extensive as well. We shared the homemade smoked salmon starter and Jay opted for the Risotto Coquilles Saint-Jacques while I ordered the Monkfish Cheeks recommended by our waitress. Oh my...what a delight! I love scallops but Jay even agreed my dinner surpassed his in flavor. Another fantastic meal in France...Weight Watchers here I come!
Best or Worst
September 26th
This is the best and worst day of the trip. It's best because we are excited to get home after two months of great travel adventures but the worst because it is time to pack. Packing for a trip is more fun than packing up to go home. We returned our leased Renault Arkana to the airport this afternoon and now we are trying to fit all of the parts we brought and all of the purchases we've made into our allocated luggage. This is not a small feat!
Our packing was taking longer than expected so we hurried up to the burger joint for a quick lunch. It's a good thing I can't take this place home with me!
One final restaurant in Toulouse and it's a wrap! La Gouaille is a tiny place with wonderful simple food and warm service. We both had the Magret de Canard, duck breast and it was really delicious. Perfectly seared on the outside and medium/rare on the inside. It was a bit too large for me to finish but Jay soldiered on to the end.
Sometimes I feel like all we do is bike and eat. We do try to throw in a few museums and historical sights along the way when time allows so we at least know what is significant about the places we have visited.
Until next time...Au revoir!
