Jule's Hikoi: A new adventure

Well the Aude to be more precise. And Carcassonne. That amazing city Kate Mosse brought to life for me all those years ago when I devoured her books. I've kept up with the series reading the last one recently. Carcassonne was on my bucket list in 2004 and I made it there for a quick visit, plus a visit to the hospital when I fell down that marble staircase with such style, sober. The left arm again, x-rays and a sling for a bit. Dented and damaged but not broken phew.

So I wandered La cite in a sling, exploring this most historic place. Back again after a 21 year wait, I wandered the streets and enjoyed a pizza and local rose while people watching. I've always wanted to live in the South of France. I've explored much of it while following the Tour de France in 2004 and on other trips driving along the coast and up to Mont san Michel.

Our first house hunting trip in May happened because Eurostar had very cheap tickets and I built the trip from there. Overnight in Paris, train to Orly Airport to pick up a car then the drive south. A long drive! Airbnb came to the party as they always do and we had a lovely little apartment near La Cite and a short wander to la Bastide with all it's restaurants and shops. The mission for this trip was viewing properties A Place in the Sun style. Enter two lovely real estate agents from Leggett and off we went checking out the villages nearby. La Redorte on the Canal du Midi was a favorite, and Azille, Lezignan-Corbieres and Olonzac.

A few days of looking had a short list, one quickly discarded when we realised Carcassonne itself might be a better option because there was more there to attract tourists. We drove through vineyards exploring and navigating putting petrol in the car (an amusing if frustrating interlude with a card not working, language barriers and helpful folks), Google maps vagaries, very narrow roads and exciting blind bridges. And lots and lots of lovely villages and the Narbonne Plage where we enjoyed a rainy beach stop. Back to the search.

And back to Carcassonne, a second visit confirmed it was the place to be. It was lovely and hot and I had an Airbnb with an outside terrace in the middle of the Bastide where two of the properties were located. The third property I visited I put an offer on, accepted after some back and forth. So now we wait as we go through the French buying property process then it's some much needed renovations and set up for us and others to enjoy. Very exciting. The agents are so helpful and the process is involved, including a survey with the issues highlighted. Actually everyone we've dealt with has been helpful. I highly recommend Leggetts, a very professional company.

So next stop is Carcassonne, France. The place of amazing history, lovely people, excellent wine, markets with yummy fresh food, baguettes, pastries and cassoulet. Close to Spain, a place I've never really visited, and the rest of France. The Tour de France has a stage end there this year and passes by most years so I'll get to watch close up rather than highlights on TV. There are details to work out, those are the next jobs on the long list.