Up late and checkout for our drive to Toulouse. Weather ghastly though cheered by a wonderful croissant and coffee at a roadside patisserie. Arrive and park in Toulouse. All very civilised! We park underground right in the centre. Wonderful cosmopolitan town. Lots of young people as it is a university town. Wonderful churches including Saint Sernin which had great 12th century frescoes and swooping arches. Also Les Jacobins which had an amazing single line of columns with palm tree like supports for the roof.
Lunch was excellent in the square. Tuna carpaccio and duck confit which came with an odd waffle. It was left untroubled. Rain came on stronger so after a further wander, we left for Bordeaux.
Wonderful drive for the most part through vineyards and canals. Nightmarish trying to find parking near hotel though. Room great. Very swanky, huge bed and massive 50" tv at the foot of the bed.
Bordeaux is beautiful and nearly as breathtaking architecturally as Paris. And it has an Apple Store! The Place de Bourse looks wonderful at night with it's ingenious reflecting pool. Dinner at a fish restaurant recommended by the friendly receptionist at the hotel. It was heaving but food looked amazing. 12 oysters to start. Very good but perhaps a little late in the season. A little spawny. Main of monkfish was superb, as was Richards pan fried coquillage. Lovely French couple to our left poured us a glass of their v. expensive wine to try. They were clearly proud of it. It was delicious. To the left a young table of boys and girls were charming and we had a giggle with them too. Great fun and a great evening. I love Bordeaux and I love France!