The morning today is bright and cheery - such a contrast to the grey and drizzly arrival into town. The temperature first thing is cool, but the promise of a warmer day can be felt as soon as the sun gets on the face and arms. Breakfast was good and plentiful, and we had two interesting fellow guests, a teacher from Charente-Maritimes here for a few days doing examinations for BTS in water treatment (The Brevet de technicien supérieur (BTS) technician certificate is a national diploma of higher education in France, established in 1959. The technician certificate is usually earned in two years, after graduating with a Bac (baccalauréat) in a section of senior technician (STS). The training curriculum includes periods of internship) - the teacher was missing her 7 month old baby, who is apparently only now sleeping through the night while she is away. The other guest was a civil engineer from the Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa, here to do a week training course on a brick making plant (presumably to run back home). A quick spin around the town - which was much nicer in the sun than the rain - and we were on the road again. On the way out of town we caught glimpses of the famous Cathar castle of Montsegur. In 1242 Hugues de Arcis led the military command of about 10,000 royal troops against the castle that was held by about 100 fighters and was home to 211 Perfects ( leaders of the Cathars. The Perfects were not clerics in any way, but were merely members who had become ‘adepts’ in the teaching, and whose role was that of aiding the ordinary members achieve the rewards of belief and practice - men and women could become Perfecti) and civilian refugees. The siege lasted nine months, until in March 1244, the castle finally surrendered. Approximately 220 Cathars were burned en masse in a bonfire at the foot of the mountain when they refused to renounce their faith. We had planned a leisurely ride along a secondary road marked out as a ‘green route’ on the Michelin map. The road was quiet - too quiet! After about 5 km, we came to roadworks and the dreaded ‘route barrée’ sign - nothing for it except to go back and start again. Our alternate route didn’t have the ‘green route’ markings on our map, but after getting off the main road, was delightful - lush green meadows and views of the mountains. We had lunch at the Cascades de Rochefort, pretty waterfalls which we had almost to ourselves. And then we came to Foix, with the castle dominating the town! We had time to do a walk around the medieval centre before heading to our accommodation, which unusually for us is a bit out of town, but does have a washing machine! And a pool, though the washing machine is more attractive to me - the water is plus froide. Ride link: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/35884836