Alzonne.

I picked up the hire car at Toulouse train station and am rather grateful to the young man at Enterprise car hire for setting up my car play and giving me a good run down on the Citroen and how to deal with tolls on the highway. I set off with my credit card at the ready to pay tolls instead of turning up and fluffing around in bags and purses. I made it without incident - it's a bit like rubbing your tummy and patting your head at the time. Full concentration and feeling like coordination could elude you at any moment. And I am not used to cars hurtling along at 130kmph!

But, how fortunate am I. I have always wanted to spend a bit of time in rural/village areas in France. And here I am. I have arrived at cousin Jenny's "apartment" in The Domaine near Alzonne - between Toulouse and Carcassonne. The Domaine is made up of a chateau and it's out buildings, once a Cathar outpost, then a Templar stronghold, now converted into apartments. Jenny and Paul are driving from Portugal and due tonight. After settling in I dashed to the local boucherie to get duck breasts for dinner. I also went mad taking photos of The Domaine. Ooof. Couldn't stop!

Jenny and Paul arrived about 6pm. They had brought produce and cheeses from Portugal and Spain, and I bread, lemon loaf, and cheese from the Toulouse Victor Hugo market. Paul barbecued the duck and we enjoyed dinner - and Paul being a serious wine expert, wine from his stash. So lovely to spend the evening catching up on our lives. And in the morning Paul and I are driving to the market at Bram - supposed to be another great food experience. Feeling blessed.