The curry was ok. I'd give it 6.5/10. At first I was a bit worried by the menu. There were no popodums. There was something called Barhnt Parat (no idea what that was. Sounded very Python-esque). There was also Poison Murhg (it was, obviously, a fish curry. But it didn't sound good). As it happens, our shared starters of onion bahjis and veg samosas were quite nice. To follow the Punjab Murhg was nice and spicy and the Butter Chicken was quite passable. I'll do a review on Tripadvisor, although it won't really decide the Poor/ Excellent debate.
(note - next morning: no gastro trouble. That's an extra half point)

Back on the bikes for the last time for the trip to St Chinian.
We followed the Canal du Midi out of the centre of Carcassonne and changed to tarmac only when we were well clear of the city.
Not a bad ride on scotching conditions. Over thirty degree!
I'm pleased to report no mechanical problems along the way. Not even a puncture.

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We have now arrived at our destination, St Chinian!!!
We had allowed 13 days for this journey. And it took...13 days!!! I guess that, subconsciously, we must've allowed time for our c*** ups.
Along the way, and inspired by the great Bradley Wiggins, I've grown some mutton chops.

What were the best and worst moments?
Well, for both of us the best was simply bowling along on the back roads of Spain and France, through empty countryside, not knowing for sure where we were going. Or caring. And with some spectacular scenery to boot.
The worst moments for both of us involved the act of looking up:
For JC it was the moment she was (absentmindedly) crossing what looked like some open parkland in the middle of Bilbao only to, look up, and stop herself from walking in front of a moving (and virtually silent) tram. She was inches away. It frightened the $#€% out of her!
For me, it was on the ferry coming over to Santander. Above the main exterior passenger deck area was another deck that was being used for those who were taking their pet dogs to Spain. We went up there once whilst exploring the ship: we took to referring to it as the Poop Deck.
After a night's sleep, I woke up shortly after dawn and thought I'd go for a walk on deck to wake myself up. I walked around to the deck at the stern of the ship and felt the lovely ocean spray in the air. (I'm sure some of you will see this one coming.) I stood there for a few minutes enjoying the feel of that spray on my face. Then I looked up, because I heard someone whistling. It was a member of crew who was pressure-hosing the Poop Deck and generating that 'refreshing spray'.
I ran all the way to the washroom.

I'll end with something fitting from our night in Handaye...

I've been a wild rover for many a year
And I spent all my money on whiskey and beer,
And now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more.

And it's no, nay, never, (du! du! du! du!)
No nay never no more,
Will I play the wild rover,
No never no more.

fin