Albi (not Aldi) and Cordes (not Coles)

Make that four gold medals …

Today I left Ian behind, ostensibly working, although there seems to have been ransacking of the icecream (for which he blamed the Captain), and online purchasing of Lego. I took a bus tour to two medieval towns – Albi, and Cordes Sur Ciel. Ian thought I said Aldi, and wondered what took me so long.

I liked Albi very much, in fact I think it is my favourite place visited so far. It is built from red bricks – everything is brick. The cathedral is gobsmackingly enormous, and makes navigating around the town centre pretty easy. It is also quite stunning inside.

But what I really loved was the surprises. Go up a set of steps and under an arch, and you emerge into a cloistered garden. Cross a courtyard to find a panoramic terrace overlooking a magnificent garden, and expansive views of the Tarn. Wander onto a bridge, and discover an old mill. Venture down any laneway, and find a row of half timbered houses. Disappear down a dead end street, and end up in a square lined with picturesque houses and window box gardens. There was so much to see, and it all unfolded slowly and delightfully.

Is there any better way to beat the heat, than by eating fresh strawberry gelato, while standing under a mist spray from an outdoor café? (rhetorical question)

After four very pleasant hours, our bus transported us to Cordes Sur Ciel. We left the freeway, driving on narrow roads beside fields full of sunflowers or vines. At any minute I expected to see the peleton chasing down the breakaway.

Cordes is a bastide, or defensible, town, built on a steep hillside in the 1200s. These days its very touristy; the way up to the top is lined with artist and artesan galleries, restaurants and cafes. They make a good excuse to stop; it’s hot hard work. My vestibular system did not like it much, but I persisted and made it to the top, where there is a nice view over the surrounding countryside. Going down was considerably easier! I have always wanted to visit a bastide, but this will probably be my first and last, at least on foot (there was a petit train, but the queue was way too long).