George & Dragon!

Saturday 16th September 2023. Toulouse

I had a little bit more sightseeing to do in Toulouse, I had agreed to meet Glen for lunch and also I had three rugby matches to watch!

Firstly, I went in search of breakfast and then had a wander in the glorious morning sunshine.

I started my cultural visits at the Capitolium Building. It houses some fantastic art work, in particular by Henri Martin.

I met Glen in the Capitol square whilst the orchestra was playing …

We had lunch in a cafe listening to the music and the. Went for a wander in search of further culture,

We headed for a bar to watch the second half of the Samoa v Chile match (Samoa won) and then went into a British pub near my hostel called the George & Dragon. We watched Wales v Portugal, where Wales eventually got a bonus point win but didn’t look too convincing to me!

Glen departed because he has an early start on Sunday as he needs to catch a train to Nice to watch the England v Japan match. I took the chance to buy some breakfast, nip back to the hostel and have a wash etc. I found that my French Guyanan friend had left and my new bunk ‘bed’ mate was a very nutty woman who shrieked a lot! I don’t want to be detrimental but I think she had eaten too much Cadbury’s Fruit and Nut Chocolate! I wasn’t looking forward to returning to sleep in the room.

So, I went back to the George & Dragon to watch the Ireland v Tonga match. I had a great evening talking to a couple of French guys about rugby and all things French and English. It was a good Ireland performance too. Coming back from the pub I did consider the option for me to be St George and I could slay the Dragon in my room!

She was already in bed so I quietly climbed on top!….not a nice thought!….sorry. All was well till a Second Lady returned to the room who did not know the nutty lady and she began a conversation which instantly became a series of shrieks! I told them firmly in my best French that the hostel rule was ‘all quiet after 10pm’ an it was nearly 12! Both women stopped….thankfully.

On the subject of nutty women….I am reminded that Janice has flown out to France this evening. He first train to the airport was cancelled and the flight was delayed for nearly an hour but she has arrived safely and is at Tim’s house. She will drive the van to me at Carcassonne on Monday.

I have actually had a great day. I am impressed with Toulouse and its people who are very friendly. There is no sense of crime or aggression that you sometimes get in a big city. There have been lots of free things to see and do. I recommend it for a city break.