Train to Bordeaux

April 23.

The day was cool and a bit breezy when we checked out and walked the long two blocks to the train station. We easily found our train listed on the BIG BOARD and made our way through security and then to queue up to await being let down onto the platform -- rather like at the airport. 

It was another 20-30 minutes before the arriving train had unloaded its passengers and we were given the green light. Off we went in search of our train car. A few short minutes and we were aboard, stashed our bags in the closest racks and found our seats. The trip to Narbonne where we would change trains took about 2 hours and was uneventful. For me it was sheer stress-free pleasure watching the highway traffic as we zipped by passing everyone on the 6-lane highway that seemed to match our route much of the way. 

We left our train to continue its journey to Paris while we stepped out onto a chilly windy platform in Narbonne to await our transfer train for Bordeaux. 

And then the trip turned a bit disturbing. A couple of trains -- both heading east to Marseilles and Montpellier -- were cancelled outright and our train, coming from Avignon I believe, was listed as one hour, 10 minutes late. We schlepped our bags into the cramped rather tired waiting area and soon found a couple of seats. Fortunately our train was never reported as cancelled but the schedule board didn't update the arrival/departure times. Hmmmm. 

At last the board showed our train arriving -- I checked with an agent in the ticket office and he said yes indeed it was arriving in about 10 minutes on platform B. 

Off we went down the stairs and up another set to the platform. Sure enough the train did show up, all in all about an hour 20 minutes late. We were thrilled to get on and settle in for the four hour ride to Bordeaux in warmth and comfort.

Narbonne station

Our journey took us past Carcassonne where we could see the ancient walled city from the train, then through Toulouse and along the Canal de Garonne and finally along the Garonne River until we reached Bordeaux.

The Garonne

Getting off the train was easy but after a bit of challenge in finding the taxi stand, we were whizzing our way through town to our hotel. 

Before long we were out of cab and no sooner had we walked into the hotel than Richard and Pauline greeted us at the door with hugs all round -- they had been in the bar waiting for us. 

We hurriedly check in, dropped our bags in the room and met them back in the bar for a much-needed aperitif and toasts all round!

 Ibis Bordeaux Centre Mériadeck

That evening the four of us opted to stay in the hotel for dinner. I had steak frites, Richard had the plat du jour (braised pork with mashed potatoes) and Pauline and Susie each had Dorade. For dessert Richard and I each had the Canelés with ice cream and Susie and Pauline had the tarte aux pommes.

steak frites

dorade

Canelés with ice cream

tarte aux pommes

Next: Bordeaux in the rain!