Toulouse. Oh Toulouse!

I DID NOT EXPECT TOULOUSE to be so beautiful. I got off the train and into a taxi and within in a few minutes the beauty of Toulouse began to dawn on me. I checked into my very modest hotel where the lovely staff decided to upgrade me to a 6th floor room with their best view. (Being all the way from NZ still has some novelty for this tourist industry) And the wee size of European hotel rooms also dawned on me anew.

As they say, it's all pink. My first wander was to Wilson Place where there was plenty of life on a late Sunday afternoon. I realized how hungry I was and grabbed a glass of prosecco and a snack.

The view from my room got better as the sun went down.

I had one day to explore Toulouse. Time to focus. Made easier because I'm still going to bed at 9pm and waking by 4.30am. The metro was sooo clean, and lifts and escalators everywhere, much to my delight. The touriste office was one stop away and I was hoping to get a ticket for the hop-on-hop-off bus but there was a reason I couldn't book online - no Monday service. So the cutesy, dinky electric train,p ( which is really a baby bus that looked like a train) with no hopping off, had to do. Proved very efficient for seeing a lot of both the churches and highlights of Toulouse, and the endless charm of the narrow streets in which cars cannot drive.

On return to base I was champing at the bit to go to the basilica Saint Sernin. I was trying work out how to get to it without causing me pain and reduced mobility tomorrow. I was told cars couldn't drive these narrow lanes, which precluded an Uber or taxi. But the lovely young woman from the electric train service told me there was a small blue and white bus service for the elderly, and where to wait for it. That's me. And in no time I was dropped right outside Saint Sernin. Once inside it was one of those religious spaces that cause you to feel humility and awe. Given that it was what made for such a lovely view from my hotel room too, I was delighted to inspect its insides. Feel free to skim through this lot.

Then, Gallery Lafayette Toulouse. After the Paris Lafayette the building was non-descript, but it did also have a viewing area. You just had a buy a drink to view. To my delight the coffee was a bit better. I now know you need to order a long black with milk. Bearable. And the sun came out. Nice.

I spotted the workers on a roof (middle photo) and I bet there is a lot of maintenance on those tiled roofs!

My only day in Toulouse could not end without a bit of shopping. I have loved Anne Valentin spectacle frames for some time. We only get a wee slice of her designs in NZ. Toulouse is the home of her design and manufacture. So I made my way to the 'mother-ship' boutique. They pride themselves on not displaying much. Instead, you are welcomed by a consultant who gets to know you and brings frames to you. Seemed a bit pretentious but the young woman was good at gleaning from you your aspirations and feelings about wearing glasses. So of course I came away with new frames that I can't wait to get my prescription into on my return. After purchasing them, they informed me that my selection was only available in dedicated Anne Valentin boutiques in France. Lovely to have selected frames I wouldn't be able to get otherwise.

The other shopping delight, that didn't cost me anything, was to see my La Theiere Salam (designed 1953) teapot in Degrennes. Mines the middle one. Must use it more!

And I bought a green, thats right, not black, jersey from Uni Qlo.

My day ended at Brasserie L'Opera at Capitole for a formule dinner. Other than a cannoli at the early market for breakfast, I hadn't eaten all day. Three courses is too much for me these days, but I persevered. The salmon gravalax was yum, the steak with lots of onion was okay, and the panacotta was excellent. And the local Chardonnay pleasant. A good ending to a big day out!

I managed to sleep quite well despite the butterfly's about driving a hire car the next day. I had 3 last activities before ubering to get the car. First, hop over the road to the very famous Victor Hugo fresh market for breakfast. Where I got a latte that, though was a good average latte in NZ, was bloody marvelous after nearly two weeks of shite lattes. They only did coffee and juice, only took cash, and there was only stand up at the bar. And only male customers there. A bit awkward, but worth it. I was nearly finished my latte when a chap asked for an egg. And out came boiled eggs. .70 euro each. Just peel and eat. So I did.

I then picked a up a few delights to take with me for Jenny and Paul tonight. Great market!

Second, off to an osteopath, Charlotte, who worked very similarly to my wonderful NZ Osteo. Phew. It felt good afterward. Third, onto the metro to Capitole where I had spied a La Poste. I sent home my big black jumper and a few other bits - constantly trying to lighten my load. I had to pop back for another of those lattes before checking out of my hotel to pick up the car. Alzonne and Carcassonne next.