Just in case you’re worried about us freezing, don’t. We survived very well last night without a heater and this morning, even though there was a huge frost, we felt snug inside the house. Having two cats sit on you while watching TV for awhile before bed did help as well. 

There have been lots of calls made and emails sent on our behalf to try to locate a mysterious English plumber named Bob who lives in the area. We even went door knocking in our little village and people knew about us. They even appeared to understand my French. 😳

We left home just after 10am and drove along yet another windy, steep road and then climbed a very steep hill on foot to get to this castle. 

Queribus castle, unlike the hermitage we visited yesterday, was really open as was evidenced by the need for us to pay a €6,50 entry fee each. 

Mick made a mighty start up the hill, leading the way. The castle sits on the top at just over 720m altitude. 

The castle was initially held under Spanish rule in the early 12th Century. During the crusades it became a refuge for the religious Cathares and in 1255 it fell to the French. It was reconstructed by the French in the 13th and 14th centuries, but they eventually lost the need for it (strategically) around 1659. 

But, have a renewed (tourism) interest in it now. There has been a lot of restoration work done, obviously using the many €6,50 entrance fees. 

And the views were amazing. 

From up here we looked down on the villages we have been visiting and passing through for the last two weeks. We also could snow on the peaks of the alps in the distance, but you’ll have to take my word for it.  

The walk back to the car seemed a lot easier than the walk to the top 🤔.

We decided to take an alternate route home and although it was very windy up and down hills, the views were beautiful. We couldn’t dally though just in case Bob wanted to visit us. 

Sadly no sign of Bob at time of posting this. Perhaps we will have to wait until after the weekend.