Avignonet-Lauragais to Toulouse

We chose to stay at the camping ground at Avignonet-Lauragais as the surface from there to Toulouse is great and the run into the city, of about 50km seemed a good distance. The weather was on our side. Smooth run, blue skies, cycle-touring as you would like it.

Bonus 1: Sometime before lunchtime there is access to a picnic area for motorway traffic, with tables to sit at for a snack right by the canal and real toilets – with paper!  

Bonus 2, at about lunchtime and at about half-way, we were passing through a village actually on the canal (not very usual) and had a plate of local cold cuts and bread at the local bar. No doubt we had a beer too, but it is the food part I recall best. Great stuff! The goose wasn't actually at the same place - but not far away!

The run was so smooth we got to Toulouse station (right on the cycle track, as stations often are) mid-afternoon. No rush to get a train out to Colomiers, where Chris used to live for a while when he first arrived in Toulouse in 2006 and where I also stayed in 2007. (Thanks guys – you know who you are!) From there we could bike to Cornebarrieu, about 5km as the crow flies and more with roundabouts to negotiate.  Turn at McDonalds, carry on, left at the T junction, consult Google maps, carry on, ask the guy outside the baker’s where the street is…this IS the street. (No street name anywhere there). You’re looking for the English people? (never mind that they’ve lived here practically for ever) – just up the street.  We ring the doorbell – our hosts are expecting us about now…

But that is for another day. The Canal du Midi ends at Toulouse – and so ends the first leg for us.

12th June 2013. (392km)