Medieval South West France, Cathare Country!

Some b*stard has been spamming this thread so I have changed the title to throw them off the trail.....

Carcassonne is a place in South West France I have driven passed many times, but this time I determined it was time to investigate. Having been saved from ruin and waste it is now a World Heritage Site and quite a place to go.
It seems that there were Crusades against the inhabitants and mass expulsions and no doubt, murder and genocide all perpetrated about the same time in the middle ages as the city where I dwell was being built

The killing ground is the gap between the outer and inner defences where invaders were to be picked off by sharpshooters on the right with their trusty crossbows. The lady cyclist didn't give a damn.

Walking up from the campsite the medieval ramparts hove into view

Restoration in the 1850's is not conceptually correct. The central tower with its timber balcony structure is more accurate.

Overlooking the old town the domination is impressive

This is the main entrance from the North, the one I used.

Apparently this is the oldest part of the defences, the old Keep

Timber battlements were a common feature

The slate roofs are a late addition, but really add to the menace of the whole location

The contrasting textures in this picture are astounding, the materials are natural and the sunshine delightful.

In the centre of all the defences is the Chateau, the final redoubt.

But, what about lunch. The middle lower window on the building to the left was  my restaurant for Lunch, and very nice it was too.

A final view looking back on my departure.

Beaulieu sur Dordogne

Belting south, down through central France, heading for the Dordogne. I am on a mission to get to stay with friends for the weekend, because I have to fly back to the UK for important business, before returning for the onward journey.

Wow, look at the bling. Still nice and clean after a good wash and polish at home.

The target location was a Caravan Club recommended site in Beaulieu sur Dordogne, on an island in the Dordogne River.

The weir could be heard night and day, it is just next to the pitches

The entrance to Camping les Isles. OK you might mock the satellite dishes but the WIFI on site was fast and available FREE! Other sites might reflect on this.

It was so peaceful and quiet after all the driving.

Across the river, a scene that has been there for centuries

But moving on....another more famous location is to come. Ha!

Fountains Abbey

It has been a long held ambition to visit Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire. It is a world heritage site and my history, linked with the similar Furness Abbey gives me a point of reference concerning historic locations such as these.
I was expecting a load of old ruined church buildings, and I was not disabused of that, but what was magical about the place was the way in which the Ancients had selected the location, built great edifices there and made a statement to the world.

The peacefulness and calm of this place is truly divine and extraordinary.

Just think, whilst we go about our business, rushing hither and yon, this magical place just exists, quietly, in peace. Think on.....as they say hereabouts.