Day 24 Argeles Gazost to Camon (France)

Day 24 Argeles-Gazost to Camon

This makes the half way point of our tour.  

We left the Hotel Victoria in Argeles Gazost at the leisurely hour of 10.30 am following Cedric and Barbara to their coach/body builder approximately 20 minutes down the road to let him and his team have a look at the cars.  Alvis's are a rare bred in France and we are extremely well received as we travel (in convoy).  Cheering or waving by pedestrians, cars biping horns and waving are quite the norm.  Some are taking photos and whenever we stop it tends to draw a friendly crowd.

Last minute instructions for the troops from our leader, Mike outside the Hotel Victoria.

Due to the bad weather we encountered across the past weekend rally this travel allowed the hoods on all 5 cars to dry out and we could then pack them away and entice the sun to come out again…hopefully.  The forecast is very optimistic for the coming week and in fact temperatures should get into the high 20's or low 30's. 

The MG also had a little dampness in the boot and water had collected in the passenger foot well – this was now able to dry out.

Our route took us through the historic city of Foix where we stopped for a “light” lunch snack, tea and coffee and a walk around.  Maritta’s pate sandwich turned out to be a baguette with pate which was about a “foot long”.  She was in 7^th heaven. 

Village on the road to Foix

We did however strike some difficulty with the A61 road toll .  A big bug bear has been using our VISA credit and/or debit cards.  They work fine for the hotels or manned petrol stations BUT....

we have tried to buy petrol in a couple of station which are electronic (card only) stations.  These machines will NOT accept Australian cards of any type – which is highly unsatisfactory.  The same applies for the electronic toll roads.  In most cases these are manned however for the A61 this was not the case and we were holding up traffic desperately trying to pay our 9.70 euro toll.  My 2 VISA cards and Dales 2 VISA cards were declined as were Noeline and Alan’s collection of cards.  Fortunately Alison came to our rescue however this is a trap for non European visitors.  Most frustrating and embarrassing and really shouldn’t happen.

The drive to Camon was absolutely lovely – warm, sunny and picturesque.  We arrived at our overnight stop in Camon, L’Abbaye – Chateau de Camon.  What a wonderful retreat.  Set in a 10^th century abbey the owners an English couple have resurrected it to a very high period standard without changing the ambiance and each of the rooms is individual, grand and totally charming.  It is a luxurious up market facility.  We have been allocated the green room at the end of the second level which has a delightful four poster bed.

Library of the Chateau de Camon

Dinner is also exceptional.  The English chef, (who is quite shy) delivered a 5 course menu which included delicious sea bass, creme of celery soup and duck breast in an orange sauce and finished off with a desert of 3 samples - lemon tart, tiramasu, and frangipani apricot.  Every mouthful totally delicious.