Narbonne and Narbonne Plage

Today's adventure saw us heading to Narbonne, which dates from 1 BC.  We are amazed by the age of this country with both its history and also the structures that remain from centuries later than that.  I could tell you a bunch of historical stuff - but you can read that elsewhere.  We looked around the 14th Century church - well part of the church as it never got finished.  Apparently the harbour silted up around this time changing the course of the Aude River so the town was not such a good place to have the capital of Gaul. 

Our standard set up for getting around - Mountain Buggy and buggy board for the kids, generally pushed by Gregg.  The buggy board gets a lot of stares and comments as we go anywhere. 

As a city fix on a pretty rural holiday so far, I loved it.  The buildings curved out from the ground, not straight and flush.  You glimpse old medieval churches everywhere, up little 'rues' (streets).  The restaurants and cafes and bars spew onto the streets - again with the chairs defining the outdoor spaces of each one.  The modern boutiques are housed in old, old buildings.  It was amazing to wander around....and indulge in a little bit of shopping.  I know it is commented all the time a bout how French women are chic, they ARE!!  From a people watching exercise, it was fun.  All ages of women looked fab, with scarves that looked so haphazardly thrown around their neck, what for most people would be mis-matched stripes just work for these ladies.  How??  They even walk differently it seems - that makes even the short chicks like me seem to be tall.  Oh, to emulate!!!!

We had a picnic on the side of the Canal de la Robine as that is easier than the cafes and restaurants I would love to be doing!!!  But Jonathan and Elena have different ideas about what makes a cool lunch.  The Canal is concreted in, rather than riverbanks.  It almost reminded me of the Thames on the Southbank of London. 

Avenues of trees are everywhere.  Elena wanted to wear her 'running shoes' today, and they got put to good use around the city.

The Cathedral and Archbishops' Palace in the background, with the canal just beyond me and the kids.

Canal de la Robine with some amazing buildings running alongside.  The ground floor of these house bars and restaurants, and shops and banks. 

While I write this, Gregg is talking about how the power of the Church in Europe in those time.  He sees small towns with ample agricultural advantages, but yet massive cathedrals and wonders how these were built and what the locals sacrificed to have these.  The wealth of the Church must have been amazing.  It's probably also worth noting that the area we are in is know as Cathar Country (think Templar Knights, Di Vinci Code etc) - so everywhere you go is some amazing church or Abbey.  But we digress........ 

The square in Narbonne. 

Passage de l'Ancre - a cool street of medieval arches and cobblestones

Narbonne is cool, and I look forward to going back a few more times given it is so close down the road.  'Cool'....goodness, I do need to come up with some better descriptions!!   

Part two of today saw us at Narbonne Plage (beach).  Given that Narbonne itself is no longer near the water, this was about a 15minute drive from the city.  Through vineyard country.  The temperature is showing 27 degrees as we see the bright blue water of the Mediterranean as we come through the dry, rocky landscape.  It really is beautiful.  Unfortunately no good stopping point for a photo...you will just have to believe me. 

Lower down as we get to the beach it is 28 degrees.  It is perfect for being at the beach.  A quick change at the car for the kids and us into our togs.  Then off we trot across about 150m of lovely sandy sand to get right up to the water where we set up camp.  Past the bare breasted ladies of all shapes and sizes, the leather brown skin of the sun lovers, and everyone else. 

Happy Jonathan

Jonathan is just a beach baby!  He LOVES it and will not keep his sun hat on because he is so busy walking off into the water, or throwing sand around, or throwing it all over his head.  Elena has the spades from the sandpit at home and is making a moat.  She has been paying attention at the Castles we have been visiting. 

Yes, the views are amazing as we look back over stunning blue water to the Pyrenees.  The water is still a bit fresh as you get into it.  Lovely once you are in.  Very much like at home.  We do have amazing beaches in Auckland.  And it's one of the things that while I would like to live over here for a lot longer, the lifestyle of NZ with the beaches so close by - just as beautiful - will draw us home.  We are so lucky being able to walk from home to the beach.  Our old house was just a 10 minute walk down the hill to a couple of the best beaches.  It's something that I'm sure many of us take for granted.  The road to the beach today was full of fast cars, impatient people all trying to get to where we were.  It is interesting the differences between here and there. 

Elena having fun. 

However, it was a lot like Mt Maunganui.  And so familiar.  I think give our kids a beach anywhere in the world and they will be the same.  We, as adults ooh and ahh about where we are.  The kids just want water sucking the sand from their toes and sandcastles.   

A great day all round.  City to surf (well, little waves that caused much delight).  One the way home we stopped at a roadside stall selling wines from the Vineyard right next door. 

Gregg choosing the wine.  A 12 euro 5 litre box of Rose (yes we are reliving the 80's and are drinking wine from a box!!

And PS.  The sunhat throwing off by Jonathan does not stress me as much as it would in NZ.  The sun is not as harsh and I'm already getting lots browner (yes, white pasty me!!) with not an inkling of sunburn after hours in the sun.  Imagine life in NZ without the ozone layer depletion!!!! 

A rare moment with Jonathan and his sunhat.

So we are planning our next beach outing....tomorrow.  And then perhaps a visit to San Sebastian in Spain soon too. (It is so cool to be able to even contemplate).  (and there is that word 'cool' again.)  Get me the Thesaurus.

PS.  there are heaps of cool photos that I will get up and link to...but Gregg's laptop has started freezing webpages after an update....so I can't do it now.