Monday 16 July 2012

France ... continued

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my last post about France, I really do appreciate them and apologise for not replying personally. Things are a bit hectic in my life at the moment as you will see later.

Whilst staying in the Dordogne area of France we visited the remarkable village of Rocamadour. Journeying up twisting ever-ascending lanes, the view of this eclectic almost vertical village assaults you. Hewn from the rock itself, dominating the turbulent river below.







Rocamadour is more than simply an enchanting site that provides the wild setting for greenery, nature and light. It is more about the captivating beauty of this magical place that gives the Diocesan Sanctuary at the very top of the village a very special character.




Saying goodbye to the Dordogne Valley we moved on towards the Languedoc area in the south and to a much awaited visit to the medieval walled city of Carcassonne with its fairytale-like quality of cone topped turrets and serrated cream coloured battlements.






We stayed for three nights and our hotel was within the walls of the city being
 one of three renovated medieval houses and giving us plenty of access to explore the lovely sights to be found, wandering along the ancient cobbled lanes founded by the Romans and trodden over the centuries by the Visigoths, Saracens and rich medieval merchants.





I loved this stone staircase which led us up to our room




And the gardens were wonderful where we sat for breakfast each morning









After dinner we would walk along the Ramparts around the city walls 




where we viewed the spectacular sunsets over the Bastide area of Carcassonne



All too soon it was time to return from our holiday but we have some lovely memories to look back on.

So it's back to reality and now I am preparing to go to hospital on Monday for major eye surgery to repair a macular hole in my right eye which has caused me to lose my central vision. I had this done last year on my left eye so know the procedure and although the surgery is not pleasant (I'm awake throughout) it's afterwards that is more daunting as I have to maintain a posture of face down for about 40 minutes in every hour 24/7 for about seven days which can be both draining and frustrating to say the least.

However, I haven't yet read all your lovely posts since my holiday so intend to indulge myself by reading and catching up with you all on my iPad as I can look down at it on my lap. More information can be found here if anyone is interested. I'll try and keep you updated during the next week.

Bye for now
Patricia



15 comments:

  1. Good luck and happy reading.
    Lovely photos by the way
    x

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  2. My Dear Patricia, Your holiday photographs are splendid. I can hardly believe that these beautiful places are real . . . I've only considered them as, in dreams and fairy tales. I am over-joyed that you were able to take this special trip. The photo of you and your husband is so sweet. It is easy to see that you're both in love. Isn't love great!

    I am sorry to hear that you need surgery, and I will be putting you in my prayers. Take special care to obey your doctor. I know that all of your blogging friends will be thinking of you and we will all be excited when you are back blogging again . . . BUT NOT BEFORE THE DOCTOR SAYS IT'S OKAY. We're not going anywhere. God bless. Connie :)

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  3. What a magical place, as Connie said above sometimes it's hard to believe such places really do exist.

    I hope your surgery goes well and you have a quick recovery, I can't imagine what it must be like to have a surgery while awake.

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  4. Wishing you all the best for your surgery and for the week ahead, which sounds pretty tough. I'm glad you had such a lovely holiday beforehand, so you can ponder on all the happy memories as you recuperate. Hope you will be spoilt by close-by friends and family - will be thinking of you.
    x

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  5. That looks a lovely place to visit - isn't Carcassonne where Kate Mosse the author lives and wrote her novel all about it (can't remember the name of the novel at the moment). Good luck with your eye surgery sounds nasty - be brave!

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  6. Wishing you all the best for your eye surgery and your week of recuperation which sounds very stressful. Do take care. Thanks you for sharing such wonderful photos with us. It looks as if you have had a lovely holiday in a magical place:)

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  7. Hope all goes well with the eye surgery. Your photos of France are great.
    Take care.
    June

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  8. I've loved reading your posts about your holiday. I could almost feel the warmth of the sun from your photos! Loads of love and best wishes for your operation. Jx

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  9. I really enjoyed you holiday post.Wonderful places you must have had a rally amazing trip. hope your op went well.Angela

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  10. Your photographs are beautiful. I have traveled the world through blogging and your postings have enhanced the trip!

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  11. Knew you would both love that part of France. It's so beautiful as are your photos , you've really captured the romance of the place. I will be one of the family and friends Alix mentioned!! Take care xx

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  12. Hurray Patricia ... you are back! Missed you but loved that you took me back to Carcassonne. Thanks! :-) I know when I have been away that I cannot wait to just be at home and enjoy some homemade meals. :-)

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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  13. Oh wow - what fabulous pictures - I can almost breath it in.

    Nina x

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  14. Thank you so much for sharing these amazing photos. I can't wait to take a trip like this some day. I sure hope your surgery is a success and I wish you a speedy recovery.

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  15. Patricia...I am sorry that I only got to come back and say I will be thinking of you on Monday. I have Graves Orbitopathy and the eye surgeon wanted to operate which I have refused. My eye muscles are still infected though so I am glad I did refuse as the eye specialist in the local hospital said it would not have gone well. But I know how tough it can be. My mother had surgery for a detached retina and had to stay facing down on the bed for days on end. It was indeed the worst part of the whole process. I would talk to her on Skype to keep her company. I hope it all goes smoothly and will be over soon leaving you seeing much better.

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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