Escaping the Rains

 Forecasts turned real.  Really real.  Oregon rain seemed light in comparison as we ran from the Dordogne and right past our planned stop in Toulouse.  We kept on going until our belief in coastal winds convinced us to stop near Perpignan, France -- just North of the Spanish boarder.  Thunder and lightning kept us company through the night, but we awoke to beautiful skies and refreshing winds.  After a brief visit to Canet's beach, and driving past VERY crouded beaches to the South (nowhere to park for lunch), we reentered Spain in search of a Girona hotel we managed to secure over the net in the morning.  Good choice, Joanne.  Right in the heart of the city, and facilities to wash off the muck still stuck after the emergency stop of the prior day.

Also shown -- by popular request -- are a few more French food pictures: 1) Paella from the Sarlat market 2) Magret of canard with glace noix (yes, that's ice cream with the duck), and 3) sorbets served in Chinese soup ladles (a trick I intend to try some day) -- the "parfums" are ginger, raspberry, and violet.  Ooh la la!