Indeed, Carcassone and Le Petit Train Jaune are on the list for future visits too.

It seems a shame that the Lord Derby Cup Final or the French Championship Final aren't more 'promoted' over here (like where they're going to be held, where to get tickets etc.) as I know some mates who did it some years ago when they were held in Paris and went over for the weekend.

Anyone do the 'Palais' in Perpignan ?

Carcassone is interesting, well worth the visit, very accessible by train (TER). We saw flamingoes & egrets on Les Etangs near Narbonne.
We did the palais - if you mean the Palce of the Kings of Majorca - but it was bizarre, full of a kids literature festival that meant we couldn't go in all the rooms that are normally accessible. Good hike though with good views from the battlements over the town.
The highlight of the visit to Banyuls (also by TER) was to go wine tasting in the Cave du Templiers. Took ages to find it & when the signs say its 3 mins away it means by car. i.e. 20-25 mins on foot.
The vermilion coast did live up to its name though.

I've seen the flamingos before when I came down by train from Paris a couple of years ago ...

I share your pain at the flight delay, Admiral. Mine was held up a whole ten minutes yesterday.

Oohhh !

Did they come round with the refreshment vouchers for having to wait for such a long time ?

Most people on that flight struggled to find a combination of anything edible + drinkable for a total of Eur.5 in the Girona airport cafeteria ....

Do they still make you watch a bizzare video before the tour?

Robert?

Yes. When we left the bar he had to go back to the hotel and change as it was cutting off his circulation.

5 euros??!! I bought a bottle of coke and it was the better part of 3.

The Palais des Rois de Majorque? on a sunny day, the views from there are outstanding in all directions. last year went to a mini concert that was being held there, it was superb!

Next year, have a look to see if you can visit the nal (not in north london)! it is only open on certain days, but is well worth the walk round, though the sumer holidays, there are concerts held there too!

Is part of it still a military garrison / school / barracks ?

Of course the real tour around the streets of Perpignan is to follow the route outlined in John Gardner's 'Licence Renewed'

The route that we took on foot via the "African Quarter" on the way to the Palais was a little educational too, I think everyone in that district came out onto the street to watch us puff, pant and sweat our way up the hill.

You told me you weren't impressed by the women in Montpellier. I wont repeat the actual phrase you used mind.