Dinner at Mahogany Oaks with Mike and John is always a treat. Last week's Wednesday night dinner found me screaming when I picked up the bottle of wine on the table: "My God, Carcassonne, how wonderful!" They both looked at me like I was a little crazy, but when I oozed on to describe some of its history and my love affair with the Cite de Carcassonne; they got it. They'd never been. They'd made my night.
Having Carcassonne on my mind, I began this post yesterday-May 27, 2015. Wth my journals between New Orleans and Cadrieu, I'm often unable to find what I'm looking for; but yesterday was different. There on the shelf was my travel journal from my three week trip that was scheduled to include Paris, Barcelona, Cahors, Venice, and wrap up in Paris.
It didn't exactly go that way. A train strike "de-railed" my plans in La Tour de Carol, so it instead went: Paris, Barcelona, Tarascon sur Ariege, Toulouse, Cahors, Paris. Tarascon sur Ariege and Toulouse were not part of the plan. I spent five days in Tarascon sur Ariege, waiting (or so I thought) for the trains to run again.
From Toulouse, I was able to make some side trips. Carcassonne was one. Returning to my journal from that time, I was able to: relive those experiences; remember the friends I'd made; and, feel Carcassonne again. Interestingly, it was exactly 19 years ago to the day that I had been in Carcassonne-May 27, 1996.
Although it was on my list for return last summer, time flew and I didn't make it back. You can bet that it's on my list for my next return to Cadrieu, and a must for John and Mike's first visit.
Mike sent me home with two of my very own bottles-one empty for a candle and another full of the red. Esprit de Sarrail-Cite de Carcassonne offers both red and white. I particularly enjoyed the red, with its melange of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes.
Wait for us Carcassonne, we're coming!
In the meantime, we'll be enjoying your wonderful wine.
Comments