Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Thursday 15 June 2017

Grand Cru Ride for Parkinson's UK – Pauillac to La Livinière: 4eme Étape: Villaudric to Carcassonne

 The peaceful Canal du Midi

The Cité de Carcassonne – one of France's iconic views 

Sometimes best constructed plans don't quite work out – take today's stage from Villaudric (AC Fronton) to Castelnaudary. I thought we were booked into the Villa Fleuri for tonight. However, on arrival, it turned out that our reservation was for last night. Perhaps it was my mistake or possibly theirs but impossible to know as I made the reservation over the phone. Naturally they were full tonight as is every other hotel in Castelaudary as this weekend there is a big boules competition. 

It turned out that the nearest town to Castelnaudary where we could be certain of getting rooms was Carcassonne – some 35 to 40 kilometres further east. It had to be done and fortunately there was a good following wind.....      


The good news is that our ride to Cru La Livinière is now considerably shorter than we had planed, so we look forward to our final stage to Ostal Cazes at the foot of La Livinière.  

Our fundraising total continues to climb – now at £4,513.75 with gift aid. You can donate here. Many thanks – every donation from £1 upwards can play its part towards big improvements in the treatment of Parkinson's. 





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