It also had one of those 'Leave-a-book-take-a-book' stands for all ages.
It also had one of those 'Leave-a-book-take-a-book' stands for all ages.
0 2025/03/30 21:23:57
My final daytrip was to a wonderful spa over in Cauterets. Again, Mrs Z took a pass. That trip necessitated a pair of rainy bus rides. Shown here is the transfer point for such public bus routes: the village of Pierrefitte-Nestalas. On display, it had an interesting fire brigade wagon from a century ago.
My final daytrip was to a wonderful spa over in Cauterets. Again, Mrs Z took a pass. That trip necessitated a pair of rainy bus rides. Shown here is the transfer point for such public bus routes: the village of Pierrefitte-Nestalas. On display, it had an interesting fire brigade wagon from a century ago.
0 2025/03/30 21:23:41
On the way back. Seen from the middle of the crest going to the right (east): la Tour with its alluvions fluvio-glaciers, la Casque, Pic des Saraders (2739m), Doigt Pointe Bazillac, Mt Taillon and Gabietous.
On the way back. Seen from the middle of the crest going to the right (east): la Tour with its alluvions fluvio-glaciers, la Casque, Pic des Saraders (2739m), Doigt Pointe Bazillac, Mt Taillon and Gabietous.
0 2025/03/30 21:23:22
At far left we see Grand Astazu (3012m) with its lil bro Petite Astazu just below. The popular ice climb 'Couloir Swan' is just beneath. Spain's famed Mt. Perdu lies just behind them (not shown). The Tour de Marbore (Gascon for 'marble') looms on the right, with the Pailla glacier visible just below. That general area also includes the Crete des Druides plus the gres de Marbore Maastrichtien layers, with migmatites and cambro-ordoviciennes. There will be a test on this tomorrow.
At far left we see Grand Astazu (3012m) with its lil bro Petite Astazu just below. The popular ice climb 'Couloir Swan' is just beneath. Spain's famed Mt. Perdu lies just behind them (not shown). The Tour de Marbore (Gascon for 'marble') looms on the right, with the Pailla glacier visible just below. That general area also includes the Crete des Druides plus the gres de Marbore Maastrichtien layers, with migmatites and cambro-ordoviciennes. There will be a test on this tomorrow.
0 2025/03/30 21:23:14
Bianca was friendly. She was also informative, telling me not to bother tryna get us an overnight visit to the high Observatory at nearby Pic du Midi: "Naw, don't bother Monsieur Zebec. Zey are sold out til Christmas at which time zey will close overnight stays for good. J'ai sourir mon ami Canuck.'
Bianca was friendly. She was also informative, telling me not to bother tryna get us an overnight visit to the high Observatory at nearby Pic du Midi: "Naw, don't bother Monsieur Zebec. Zey are sold out til Christmas at which time zey will close overnight stays for good. J'ai sourir mon ami Canuck.'
0 2025/03/30 21:23:00
I chatted with this family. Mom and dad were teaching their daughter (far L) how to care for the animals.
I chatted with this family. Mom and dad were teaching their daughter (far L) how to care for the animals.
0 2025/03/30 21:22:47
Local fences showed evidence of that.
Local fences showed evidence of that.
0 2025/03/30 21:22:25
A horse ranch has long been a feature of this part of the trail.
A horse ranch has long been a feature of this part of the trail.
0 2025/03/30 21:22:13
A fallen tree trunk water-worn by the river and time.
A fallen tree trunk water-worn by the river and time.
0 2025/03/30 16:37:17
The overall Pyrenees park is a true wilderness area and a home to rare flora and fauna.
The overall Pyrenees park is a true wilderness area and a home to rare flora and fauna.
0 2025/03/30 16:37:06
The Gave de Pau river and one of its old bridges: pont de Nadau. There was apparently a botanical jardin nearby but I never found it.
The Gave de Pau river and one of its old bridges: pont de Nadau. There was apparently a botanical jardin nearby but I never found it.
0 2025/03/30 16:36:52
This pont de Brioule took one across to the Foret du Canton Morgat. One may meander the meadows there. The slopes were once denuded by the end of the 19C but are now restored. In this area, I somehow lost my precious green Tilley hat, un chapeau that'd visited a great many countries. It'd been tied to my Domke camera bag but must've somehow slipped off. Too late, a local photographer with whom I'd chatted along the route told me that someone had found the hat and placed it on a fence pole.
This pont de Brioule took one across to the Foret du Canton Morgat. One may meander the meadows there. The slopes were once denuded by the end of the 19C but are now restored. In this area, I somehow lost my precious green Tilley hat, un chapeau that'd visited a great many countries. It'd been tied to my Domke camera bag but must've somehow slipped off. Too late, a local photographer with whom I'd chatted along the route told me that someone had found the hat and placed it on a fence pole.
0 2025/03/30 16:36:36
This shot of the above gurgling waters was Mrs Z's fave and she plans to do a painting of it.
This shot of the above gurgling waters was Mrs Z's fave and she plans to do a painting of it.
0 2025/03/30 16:08:27
I tipped a pair of young female photographers about the golden reflections here. We three enjoyed a productive half hour tryna capture the moving imagery.
I tipped a pair of young female photographers about the golden reflections here. We three enjoyed a productive half hour tryna capture the moving imagery.
0 2025/03/30 16:08:10
never ceases to please.
never ceases to please.
0 2025/03/30 16:07:59
Mt. Taillon (3144m) and its shorter glacial neighbor Gabietous are no doubt both the source for this river. Hardy hikers overnight at the cabane des Soldates just below gabietous.
Mt. Taillon (3144m) and its shorter glacial neighbor Gabietous are no doubt both the source for this river. Hardy hikers overnight at the cabane des Soldates just below gabietous.
0 2025/03/30 16:07:49
Domestic animals.
Domestic animals.
0 2025/03/30 16:07:28
Although I saw none of it beyond vultures and other birds, there is a variety of wildlife throughout the Pyrenees park.
Although I saw none of it beyond vultures and other birds, there is a variety of wildlife throughout the Pyrenees park.
0 2025/03/30 16:07:21
I rest my case.
I rest my case.
0 2025/03/30 16:07:14
They gave the shutterbug the opportunity to get artistic.
They gave the shutterbug the opportunity to get artistic.
0 2025/03/30 16:07:04
Local geology: the rock walls along the way were impressive.
Local geology: the rock walls along the way were impressive.
0 2025/03/30 16:06:58
Flaubert: 'The purpose of Travel is to show you how small we all are.' It was a measure of just how high these mountains are, that the cirque was still in shadow at noon. The Grande Cascade shown above is the highest waterfall in Europe. Above them: jagged l'Epaule (3073m). The Lacoste family have re-opened their traditional hotel seen on the left and it's back patio was a great place for a restorative cocoa at 1580m. The hotel transfer van was the only authorized road vehicle.
Flaubert: 'The purpose of Travel is to show you how small we all are.' It was a measure of just how high these mountains are, that the cirque was still in shadow at noon. The Grande Cascade shown above is the highest waterfall in Europe. Above them: jagged l'Epaule (3073m). The Lacoste family have re-opened their traditional hotel seen on the left and it's back patio was a great place for a restorative cocoa at 1580m. The hotel transfer van was the only authorized road vehicle.
0 2025/03/30 16:06:15
Bellevue plateau. I really don't know the demographics, but it felt like local French families outnumbered foreign tourists by a large margin. One sizable group of Lebanese 20-somethings broke the rules by blaring music from their portable radio. I am a music lover who did not mind, but possibly other hikers took offense. Young Spanish men also ignored the 'keep dogs on leash' rule, which is actually law here.
Bellevue plateau. I really don't know the demographics, but it felt like local French families outnumbered foreign tourists by a large margin. One sizable group of Lebanese 20-somethings broke the rules by blaring music from their portable radio. I am a music lover who did not mind, but possibly other hikers took offense. Young Spanish men also ignored the 'keep dogs on leash' rule, which is actually law here.
0 2025/03/30 16:06:02
Whereas much of the Pyrenees National Park is hard granite, the Cirque had a lot of limestone. Folks had taken some bits of that rock to create some Innuit-style inukshuk piles along the route. Shown here: Mt. Poutine as seen from the Arribam bois.
Whereas much of the Pyrenees National Park is hard granite, the Cirque had a lot of limestone. Folks had taken some bits of that rock to create some Innuit-style inukshuk piles along the route. Shown here: Mt. Poutine as seen from the Arribam bois.
0 2025/03/30 16:05:48
The sunrise was just starting and the first stretch was paved. Given that it was a Sunday and the popular hike would soon be populated with local families, I cherished the solitude while it lasted. Later, I saw one dad who'd brought his newborn along inside a baby-sling. Given the stretches of unpaved rugged pieton further down the trail and the possibility of tripping there, he seemed foolishly stubborn. In high season, many take a donkey ride to-and-from the cirque with local guides.
The sunrise was just starting and the first stretch was paved. Given that it was a Sunday and the popular hike would soon be populated with local families, I cherished the solitude while it lasted. Later, I saw one dad who'd brought his newborn along inside a baby-sling. Given the stretches of unpaved rugged pieton further down the trail and the possibility of tripping there, he seemed foolishly stubborn. In high season, many take a donkey ride to-and-from the cirque with local guides.
0 2025/03/30 16:05:39
After being dropped off by Gavarnie's Tourism office, I commenced the chilly trek south. Nobody was around for the fist ten minutes, til a young hiker strode up beside me. He resisted every effort that I made to be friendly, ignoring all my nods, waves and 'Ca va?' (howzit going). His being so very anti-social was tres etrange. Another strange aspect then was realizing that the top of Gavarnie plus its pair of neighboring 'sandwich' cirques are actually in Spain: the border crests all three.
After being dropped off by Gavarnie's Tourism office, I commenced the chilly trek south. Nobody was around for the fist ten minutes, til a young hiker strode up beside me. He resisted every effort that I made to be friendly, ignoring all my nods, waves and 'Ca va?' (howzit going). His being so very anti-social was tres etrange. Another strange aspect then was realizing that the top of Gavarnie plus its pair of neighboring 'sandwich' cirques are actually in Spain: the border crests all three.
0 2025/03/30 15:30:20
But the big deal for me was the famed Cirque de Gavarnie hike, which takes one from touristy Gavarnie village south towards the Spanish border. There one finds the namesake, world-renown glacial amphitheater. A spectacular example of massive erosion, the cirque or 'circus' is the Number One activity for most visitors. I wanted to experience the sunrise there. The seasonal public bus had stopped running so I pre-arranged for an early taxi via Gedre down to the cirque (63 euros).
But the big deal for me was the famed Cirque de Gavarnie hike, which takes one from touristy Gavarnie village south towards the Spanish border. There one finds the namesake, world-renown glacial amphitheater. A spectacular example of massive erosion, the cirque or 'circus' is the Number One activity for most visitors. I wanted to experience the sunrise there. The seasonal public bus had stopped running so I pre-arranged for an early taxi via Gedre down to the cirque (63 euros).
0 2025/03/30 15:30:00
Luz itself is surrounded by very impressive mountains. A series of hamlets are spread across them.
Luz itself is surrounded by very impressive mountains. A series of hamlets are spread across them.
0 2025/03/30 15:29:44
My return taxi arrangement had to be OKed by the Japanese gal who'd already reserved it. She lived in Paris and had brought her visiting mom to visit the cirque. We soon all got along well and traded travel tips. Our return route passed the historic hotel in Gedre village, a distinctive building with a great view of the famed Breche de Roland mountain gap. The latter very visible gap is the main Pyrenees hiking trail between France and Spain. We also passed a bungee jump plus Napoleon's bridge.
My return taxi arrangement had to be OKed by the Japanese gal who'd already reserved it. She lived in Paris and had brought her visiting mom to visit the cirque. We soon all got along well and traded travel tips. Our return route passed the historic hotel in Gedre village, a distinctive building with a great view of the famed Breche de Roland mountain gap. The latter very visible gap is the main Pyrenees hiking trail between France and Spain. We also passed a bungee jump plus Napoleon's bridge.
0 2025/03/30 15:29:26
Luz has a whole Walk of Fame featuring the handprints of storied cyclists. Ardiden Velos is one local renter of bikes.
Luz has a whole Walk of Fame featuring the handprints of storied cyclists. Ardiden Velos is one local renter of bikes.
0 2025/03/30 15:29:12
Cycling is a big deal in these here parts. The Tour de France draws a HUGE TV audience.
Cycling is a big deal in these here parts. The Tour de France draws a HUGE TV audience.
0 2025/03/30 15:29:00
Mrs Z was not interested and preferred to rest back at our cozy rental. The driver and myself were both former rock drummers now in our sixties. I recommended to him the superb album 'High Class in Borrowed Shoes' by the Canuck band Max Webster to him. The following day, he pulled over back in Luz to thank me--he loved the album. *above= the iconic local goat-antelope 'chamois'
Mrs Z was not interested and preferred to rest back at our cozy rental. The driver and myself were both former rock drummers now in our sixties. I recommended to him the superb album 'High Class in Borrowed Shoes' by the Canuck band Max Webster to him. The following day, he pulled over back in Luz to thank me--he loved the album. *above= the iconic local goat-antelope 'chamois'
0 2025/03/30 15:28:30
The main produce booth was superb. It was run by one busy couple. They barely were able to handle demand and long lines resulted. Their variety was unsurpassed. For example, they had seven kinds of citrus! Their booth was the looooooongest such one that we'd ever seen in any country. It was the length of a major urban block and was overseen by a B&W photo stencil up on a nearby wall, an image that featured an elderly male (former mayor? cyclist hero?) leaning forward to watch over proceedings.
The main produce booth was superb. It was run by one busy couple. They barely were able to handle demand and long lines resulted. Their variety was unsurpassed. For example, they had seven kinds of citrus! Their booth was the looooooongest such one that we'd ever seen in any country. It was the length of a major urban block and was overseen by a B&W photo stencil up on a nearby wall, an image that featured an elderly male (former mayor? cyclist hero?) leaning forward to watch over proceedings.
0 2025/03/26 18:10:13
He also offers ciders and comme ca.
He also offers ciders and comme ca.
0 2025/03/26 18:09:58
We bought a wide variety of his offerings including his tapenade. They were all excellent and went well with country fromage.
We bought a wide variety of his offerings including his tapenade. They were all excellent and went well with country fromage.
0 2025/03/26 18:09:42
This was the olive vendor.
This was the olive vendor.
0 2025/03/26 18:09:34
Gateau de la Brioche is the local 'traditional' specialty, basically a waffle created with a wood fire on a rotating spit. We bought one from 'Les Doux Soeurs Bigoudainees' from nearby Lezignan. Myrtle/blueberry pies are also popular.
Gateau de la Brioche is the local 'traditional' specialty, basically a waffle created with a wood fire on a rotating spit. We bought one from 'Les Doux Soeurs Bigoudainees' from nearby Lezignan. Myrtle/blueberry pies are also popular.
0 2025/03/26 18:09:19
The meat vendor hailed from Silhen near Cauterets. His hair appears a bit red on the top due to his overhead awning.
The meat vendor hailed from Silhen near Cauterets. His hair appears a bit red on the top due to his overhead awning.
0 2025/03/26 18:09:09
In this area, shoppers can look for black pork cold cuts and grilled mutton chops. The latter goes well with the little white Tarbais beans. One could also seek the tasty Gave trout.
In this area, shoppers can look for black pork cold cuts and grilled mutton chops. The latter goes well with the little white Tarbais beans. One could also seek the tasty Gave trout.
0 2025/03/26 18:09:00
Full marks for originality in this woman's business presentation!
Full marks for originality in this woman's business presentation!
0 2025/03/26 18:08:51
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