hursday is another day of exploration. We have no particular plans except that we have read about a little restaurant on the Midi Canal near Capstang. The book says it is a little difficult to find, but we figure that it is on the Midi and near Capstang, what can be the challenge. We even have the address. It is in a little village named Malvies.

Off we go. First to Capstang, then to the Midi. We start looking for the address. Not to be found. We inquire. We study the maps. Finally we spot the location. It is on one of those roads that is not marked as anything. Like no pavement.

This restaurant is run by an English couple and is reported to be very good. We persist. Eventually we end up on a road through the fields. There are no homes and no houses at Malvies. The road is dirt and one track. Finally we spot this oasis. It is perched right on the Midi and it is closed.

We pound on the door and eventually get an answer. A very nice man with a British accent explains that they do not open until May. The bulk of their business comes from the tourists on the Midi and it is not yet the season.

Panic time! We are in the middle of nowhere. We got lost three times trying to find this place. It is 1:30 and all restaurants in France close at 2:00. WE MIGHT MISS LUNCH! The proprietor suggests that our best bet is the Pizzeria in Capestang. He says their food is pretty good. Off we go.

We make it just in time. When you enter the restaurant it is not very exciting. Sort of a "hole in the wall" kind of place. They explain that it is too late for pizza but they have a full menu of other items. We are seated in the garden courtyard.

We all had pasta dishes. The food was great. € 80.87, including wine, of course. We count this as a great find. It is the kind of place where locals eat. Outstanding food, reasonable price.

After lunch we explore around Capestang. We find the French equivalent of Home Depot. It is not as large but was an interesting look at French home improvement items. Much the same as in the US with a lot of differences as well. Right next door to the home improvement store was the French version of a Safeway store - called the Intermarche. A large supermarket.

Doris is more interested in the supermarket and heads in. She is thrown out. Seems as though they are closed and no one is welcome before 4 PM. Like most French stores even the supermarkets close down for part of the afternoon. Since it is just a short time before they reopen, we browse the Home Depot and then go back to the Intermarche.

Inside the store is more like a Whole Foods than a Safeway. Fresh bread - real French bread - great produce, excellent wine selection and a real butcher shop.

We explore a bit more and return home. Yvonne has prepared a Cassoulet for our dinner. A cassoulet is a traditional dish of the region. It is basically a casserole of beans and sausage with some potatoes. Very tasty.

Remember, I did tell you that a good part of a vacation in France is the food. This day sort of proved it.

Tomorrow is or last full day in Cesseras. My how time fly's.

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