I suppose that the initial transportation related entanglements that postponed our honeymoon experience need no more explanation than what Kyle wittily provided in the last post. What I will say is that when I was intensely distraught, crying profusely, and repeatedly apologizing for having primarily caused what I referred to at the time as "the honeymoon from hell," Kyle was my rock. He took every knarled and knotted complication that happened ill upon our path and unraveled it. It was like he was almost looking forward to the next problem to rear its ugly head so that he could solve it. And so I discovered something that I always knew - that I married a man who has the heart of a hero and a profound patience.
The hero and his no-longer-distressed-damsel spent the rest of their adventure clambering up the promontories of alpine Gaul to explore what remains of the once-great strongholds that protected the coveted borderlands of southern France and Spain. We managed to see three of the "Five Sons of Carcassonne" which was our goal! We spent our last day relaxing in Sainte-Pierre-des-Champs and followed a secluded vineyard path along the L'Orbieu to some waterfall pools. We also purchased a butt-ton of chocolate and watched
Chocolat. Oh yes.
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| View down one of many tiny lanes in Lagrasse, voted one of France's plus beaux villages! |
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| Freshly picked (read: pilfered) figs. I was kind of obsessed and insisted on calling my obsession "urban foraging." |
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| At the foot of the limestone promontory that houses Peyrepertuse at its summit, another medieval Cathar castle! |
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| The hike up to the castle, feeling a bit like Frodo and Sam. |
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| Breathtaking view from the castle's lower ramparts. |
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| I was checking out the murder holes. Kyle was checking something else out obviously. |
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| There were huge vultures draconically flying over the fortress, completing the experience I suppose. |
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| In the lower chapel. Still a beautiful, tranquil place. |
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| Time to climb up to the upper ramparts! |
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| via the Staircase of St. Louis, carved right into the rock and dating from the 13th century. This picture does not do its length any justice. #legsday. |
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| View from the upper ramparts! |
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| The remains of Sainte-Jordi's keep, in the chapel and the highest point of the fortress. |
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| Next Castle! Climbing up to Puilarens! |
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| We were so out of breath! Puilarens is famous for its highly defending zig-zagging staircase. |
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| I spy a Roman bridge! |
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| Oh, hello mountain-top! |
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| Hide and seek in castle ruins would be truly epic. It is now on my bucket list. |
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| The Tower of the White Lady! I'm not kidding, that's what it is called. This tower was built in the 12th century and dedicated to Philip Le Bel's niece Blanche after she visited the castle. It features a speaking-duct, carved right into the stone that allowed people to communicate from one floor to another. |
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| frolicking etc. |
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| *le sigh* |
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| Farewell Pyreness. |
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| Its a pity you can't see the windmill better in this picture, but this town was so adorable. As we went further south-west, the architecture became more and more Spanish! |
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| Well-earned after a day of sight-seeing and mountain climbing. Vegan and ethically sourced taboot (I feel like taboot is a very Canadian thing to say, yes?) From left to right: 70% cocoa dark, fig, hibiscus and orange, mint and cacao nibs. |
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| Dipping our toes in the L'Orbieu. |
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| A good swimming spot wethinks. |
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| my handsome feller. |
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| self-timer shot.. heheh |
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| Bliss! |
A grateful shout out to Master Brendan who cared for our quarrelsome lagomorph while we were away.
Here are some more pictures of beautiful Leuven that we took before leaving for France but didn't have time to post.
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| At the agriculture expo, which was part of the Leuven kermis, a giant fair that lasts 3 weeks! Its still going on! |
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| Ponies and miniature horses are adorable reminders that God has a sense of humor. |
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| AND bebe bun-buns. |
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| Sint-Kwintenskerk! I was walking by on the way to the Heverlee market on Sunday and heard one of my favourite sounds: choral voices echoing through the vaults of an old stone nave and floating through the windows. I discovered they have an English mass at 9:00 on Sundays, so Kyle and I are going to check it out this week. |
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| Wandering through the Beguinage, which is an UNESCO world heritage site and quite close to our apartment. Its winding, cobblestone avenues are so enchanting. |
Whenever I ask Kyle to take a nice picture of me, he often does the following:
I guess I only encourage him.
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| I LOVE the remnants of the polychrome still on the tympanum. |
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| One of the residences in the Beguinage! |
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| A cozy spot for a snail-nap. |
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| Kastle Arenberg, which is very close to where Kyle has some classes at the Faculty of Science. |
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There is a contingent of geese that stand guard!
It's midnight here as of a minute ago, and the flame in my word-smith forge is dwindling... So I think I'm going to leave it with the vigilant Belgian geese-garrison stationed at our local castle.
Until next time!
Love Megan & Kyle |
