France, Andorra, Spain - Summer '16

Summer 2016 was spent mostly... playing in the mountains smile

We did move a bit, but even then, it was just to another part of the mountains wink

This topic will likely be the last episode in a while because life seems to be settling down into a more easy way of life without much movement. Well, at least for a few months it will be that way. Travel pics will likely return next year.

Monday 6 June 2016

Random walkies just up the hill from Gerde. Lovely shady track is good as it's pretty warm this evening.

Wednesday 22 June 2016

Our butter dish (or what passes for one in the snail). Might have been a bit warm today wink

Thursday 23 June 2016

Spectacular day in the Pyrenees. Col d'Aspin, Arreau, Hourquette d'Ancizan, Sarrat de Gaye. Lazy 2000m of climbing wink

Sunday 26 June 2016

Tiny supermarket in Bagnères-de-Bigorre has nice select of local cheeses. Love taking random chunks from here. Yum!

Sunday 26 June 2016

This looks interesting. Maybe it's beer with a hint of bacon? wink

Sunday 26 June 2016

Drove up the Hourquette d'Ancizan. Opened the door to some new friends wink Misty but the change makes it interesting.

Sunday 26 June 2016

Drove up to Payolle for a stroll & ended up parking in the clouds. Still lovely, if a little chilly for summer!

Thursday 30 June 2016

Folks here are so generous. Another invite for roast dinner with Yorkshire puds & a nice drop of red. Yum! tongue Thx! grin

Friday 1 July 2016

Out in the woods next to 'home' with the dogs. One is too shy for photos, the other clearly an attention seeker! wink

Saturday 2 July 2016

Bit hungover so easy spin up the Tourmalet as a cure. Only 46s behind PR. Maybe drinks the eve. before not all bad wink

Sunday 3 July 2016

Walkies at Col des Palomières. View behind to the North as you can't see the mountains to the South from here. Doh!

Monday 4 July 2016

Bit of a traffic jam out riding today. Well, traffic of the bovine kind wink Glorious day up the Hourquette & Aspin! smile

Monday 4 July 2016

Unlucky with a couple of punctures today, but I suppose there are worse places to have to fix one. Won't complain smile

Monday 4 July 2016

Just back from cycling & served up this pre-lunch snack from my favourite warung kecil. Great recovery dish. Nom! tongue

Thursday 7 July 2016

Today's ride: Something short & sweet. Saving myself for tomorrow wink

Thursday 7 July 2016

Just out wonder in the hills. Lovely evening for it smile

Thursday 7 July 2016

Walking in tall grass didn't know a deer was hiding here. He jumped up & ran as I got too close (2m or so). Amazing!!

Thursday 7 July 2016

Ever been so hot & thirsty you'd lay in a muddy puddle & drink from it? What chasing deer for hours does to dogs! wink

Friday 8 July 2016

Breakie by the pool - well, the first course at least wink Fresh eggs straight from the chicken coup. Yum!

Friday 8 July 2016

Lots of fun at the TdF today, a highlight is meeting Didi The Devil just before the Aspin climb. What a character! grin

Friday 8 July 2016

6s off a PR on the Aspin today. Think I could have taken those seconds with a sprint if it wasn't so busy up here! wink

Friday 8 July 2016

Coming down the Aspin towards Payolle on TdF day. Few campervans parked there! Not us though - we're down the valley.

Friday 8 July 2016

The infamous flamme rouge that would cause a little chaos later today. Luckily I made it under (& back) unscathed! wink

Friday 8 July 2016

I often do quite well on the daily leaderboard. 8th up the Aspin today. Somehow I can't see this lasting though! wink

Saturday 9 July 2016

Another Indonesian gathering today. Loads of wonderful food. Thank you so much! smile Nom, nom, nom! tongue

Saturday 9 July 2016

Not sure this cake has enough cream filling. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.... wink Nom, nom, nom! tongue

Saturday 9 July 2016

After a large lunch on a warm day nice to go for a walk in a wonderful, shady, cool forest. Lovely and quiet. Magic!

Saturday 9 July 2016

Random summer evening view in the Pyrenees.

Sunday 10 July 2016

Same spot as last post, but this is the following morning. Another spectacular day in the mountains begins smile

Sunday 10 July 2016

Early(ish) morning walk at the Col des Palomieres. Looking down into those clouds, it's nice to be in the hills smile

Tuesday 12 July 2016

Someone had a wonderful time playing in fields & the stream by the road today. Why dog folk can't have nice cars! wink

Wednesday 13 July 2016

Woodland walk this evening. A little bit late in the year for flowers, but there's still some colour in here.

Thursday 14 July 2016

Awesome sunburst through the clouds out walking this evening.

Friday 15 July 2016

OMG! Woke up this morning to discover we don't have any bread! Lucky this is France & 2 minutes later we're saved! wink

Friday 15 July 2016

Another hideous day up the Tourmalet wink Long way round is so much better when actually eating & drinking enough! grin

Saturday 16 July 2016

Lunch date at Payolle. Special day or something wink The confit du canard & gateau basque awesome & very affordable! grin

Saturday 16 July 2016

I often ride this road but drove today. Traffic here can be tricky as you see. Imagine negotiating this on a bike! wink

Saturday 16 July 2016

Let's take a selfie! wink Oh... and another picture of the cows. Because you can never have enough pictures of cows! wink

Saturday 16 July 2016

Relaxing near Hourquette d'Ancizan. Joys of carrying everything everywhere: always have outdoor furniture to hand smile

Saturday 16 July 2016

Teenie, tiny little stroll near Hourquette d'Ancizan. Absolutely love it here. It's even good when not on a bike! wink

Saturday 16 July 2016

Watching sunset over a neighbouring cornfield. Air thick with pollen & insects. Lucky we don't suffer from hay fever!

Sunday 17 July 2016

When you don't feel like going high, a nice spin in the foothills is the go. Super quiet roads and views like this.

Sunday 17 July 2016

Relaxing in shade of an old apple tree. It's laden with fruit, lucky not to be doing an Isaac Newton impression! wink

Tuesday 19 July 2016

Wondered into the nearby village on a sticky hot afternoon. Ice cream reward for some, cool glass of beer for others.

Wednesday 20 July 2016

Pratiwi's favourite alcoholic beverage. All the better at this very offensive price! wink #MoreBeerMoneyForMe tongue :P

Friday 22 July 2016

As rock'n'roll as it gets in the French countryside: local singers at a campsite. At least there was free alcohol! wink

Sunday 24 July 2016

Another Tourmalet day. Up top then a little way down the West side for a 'different' - it's all relative wink - angle.

Sunday 24 July 2016

Think this is a Persian Silk Tree, they seem very popular in this area & are all in flower right now. Very colourful.

Sunday 24 July 2016

Bagneres-de-Bigorre fete. Few early snaps in the market hall with freshly sliced prosciutto, drinks & other goodies.

Monday 25 July 2016

Evening snack: Beer, baguette, roquefort, rillettes de canard. Yum! While Pratiwi went for coffee & cake. Durh! tongue wink

Tuesday 26 July 2016

Today's ride: Cloudy spin up the valley, but as usual, view from the Col d'Aspin fails to disappoint!

Tuesday 26 July 2016

Do you suppose it's by chance that a German beer bottle fits perfectly inside this nice German beer mug? I doubt it.

Wednesday 27 July 2016

Spotted in a local village: nice guy carrying a bike for a mate, or a bike thief! Around here likely it's the former.

Thursday 28 July 2016

Outrageously good dinner tonight. Soooo good & so much too. Had to take a doggy bag which was our lunch the next day!

Saturday 30 July 2016

Quite walk down a shady country lane. It doesn't always have to have an amazing view. Love the peace & quiet.

Wednesday 3 August 2016

Today's ride: local loop then up the Col d'Aspin. Because, why not? Mooooooo! grin

Friday 5 August 2016

We're staying in Quillan today, but took a little walk out of town to get away from it all wink

Friday 5 August 2016

Family dinner in Quillan. I'm not easily impressed by salad, but... that's not bad! Prefer my choice mind! wink tongue

Friday 5 August 2016

Entertainment in a little square in Quillan. This sort of thing is completely normal throughout summer in France.

Friday 5 August 2016

Deserted village alley in Quillan at dusk.

Friday 5 August 2016

Almond liqueur found in my sister's house. Yum! Fun fact: while it tastes of almonds there's actually none in there!

Sunday 7 August 2016

Today's ride: Col de Pailheres... with a few others to a warm up wink Beautiful & it's another one for horse lovers! smile

Monday 8 August 2016

Today's ride: Plateau de Beille. It's OK, but not that pretty. Valley road super busy too. Think I've been spoilt? wink

Wednesday 10 August 2016

Rest day stroll into Ax-les-Thermes & back. Lovely shady path along the river smile

Thursday 11 August 2016

Today's ride: 38km climb to highest paved road in Pyrenees. Plus Col de Puymorens. Plus Ax 3 Domaines. Fantastic! grin

Friday 12 August 2016

Andorran pizza. It might be the middle of summer, but in the shade it's still a bit chilly up here so went down well!

Saturday 13 August 2016

Other side of Col de Puymorens & jaunt into Spain. Also passed a solar thermal power plant with huge mirrors. Cool!

Sunday 14 August 2016

Stroll round La Seu d'Urgell, a little Spanish town just South of Andorra. Working up an appetite for Sunday lunch.

Sunday 14 August 2016

Spanish Sunday lunch. Pratiwi had a big octopus leg that just melted in the mouth. Unbelievable how good that was!

Sunday 14 August 2016

Random scene from today's drive. Somewhere on the N-260 in Spain. OK - that's a long road. Near Guils del Cantó wink

Sunday 14 August 2016

Arrive at hot Spanish camp. Lay on picnic blanket in shade. Red walls of the gorge remind me a bit of Aussie outback!

Monday 15 August 2016

Passing by Esterri d'Àneu so short walk around. Nice, relaxed place. Late morning & streets full of coffee lovers.

Monday 15 August 2016

The C-28 in Spain, climbing to Port de la Bonaigua. Sadly am driving it today instead of riding. Very poor planning!

Monday 15 August 2016

Hike to Estany de Gerber, past another two smaller lakes. This pretty high up in the Spanish Pyrenees, around 2150m.

Monday 15 August 2016

Entering Val d'Aran from Port de la Bonaigua. One of the best parts of the Spanish Pyrenees we've seen. So beautiful.

Monday 15 August 2016

When in Spain... grin Loving this tapas bar in Urtau Arties (Valle de Aran). It's an amazing place! Nom, nom, nom! tongue

Monday 15 August 2016

Didn't know what this dish was, but took it anyhow. Turns out to be deep fried cheese with jam on top. Soooo good! grin

Monday 15 August 2016

We came to this place for the tapas, but could be worth another visit to try the steak. One of the smaller ones!

Monday 15 August 2016

Time for desert. Guess I'd better finish this Sangria first! wink grin tongue

Tuesday 16 August 2016

Today's ride: Port de la Bonaigua. Side trip to Pla de Beret had fantastic views of the Val d'Aran. Lovely place smile

Friday 19 August 2016

Today's ride: both sides of the Col du Portillion plus Superbagnères. Spectacular... & the descent is ballistic! grin

Saturday 20 August 2016

Spotted in a local store: Bigourdan Pin Cake is made of many layers spooned over it as it slowly cooks. Yummy! tongue grin

Saturday 20 August 2016

Early dinner/late lunch. Kale & rice &... not quite sure what my chef has presented here but it was really good! smile

Monday 22 August 2016

Listed among best Pyrenees rides, Cap-de-Long is indeed up there. Literally! This lake is higher than the Tourmalet!

Monday 22 August 2016

Lac d'Aumar & Lac d'Aubert. Sometimes I'm asked why cycle so much? The answer: to be able to get to places like this!

Monday 22 August 2016

Route des Lacs descent one of most technical I've done. To finish hit up Piau Engaly because, why not?! #EpicDay grin

Monday 22 August 2016

After an epic day on the bike, beer o'clock. And what a bottle: Alpirsbacher Kloster Starkbier. Cheers! grin

Tuesday 23 August 2016

Beautiful day for a recovery ride in the vallée d'Aure. Full on 'recovery' too, my heart rate average was 88bpm grin wink

Tuesday 23 August 2016

Post-recovery, recovery wink Cheers from Saint-Lary-Soulan! grin

Thursday 25 August 2016

Pratiwi hasn't been up this road before but quite likes the view. Maybe she should ride a bike more? wink #FamousClimb

Thursday 25 August 2016

Another wonderful summer's day up near the Hourquette d'Ancizan. Always nice to stop & say hello to the locals.

Thursday 25 August 2016

Wondering around in the woods near Payolle. Still pretty warm in the sun so it's nice to be in this shade.

Friday 26 August 2016

Walls of snow in Spring, walls of corn in Summer. Just love the variety of the Northern seasons. Although - ask me again mid-winter! wink

Saturday 27 August 2016

Little trip to market today. We didn't pick up much, but how good does this slab of pork look? grin Nom, nom, nom tongue

Tuesday 30 August 2016

While it might be a little cloudy down the valley, another glorious day up the Col d'Aspin. Simply love it up here!

Saturday 3 September 2016

Pot of 'industrial' desert with a few added Brambles picked straight from our hedge. Nom, nom! tongue #SimplePleasures

Monday 5 September 2016

Breakfast time! Rest day otherwise there'd be eggs in there too. Love fresh bread & croissant in the morning. Yum! tongue

Monday 5 September 2016

Spotted this deer on a dusk walk. He stood looking at us before slowly walking into the corn. Magical. #DodgyPhonePic

Monday 5 September 2016

Evening walk between the cornfields. Val d'Adour, French Pyrenees.

Tuesday 6 September 2016

Top of Hautacam: Blue skies & views for miles! Well, it's the Col de Tramassel actually, but you knew that, right? wink

Wednesday 7 September 2016

After yesterday some recovery needed so gentle spin to the Hourquette. If you call 1000m+ climb up here recovery wink

Wednesday 7 September 2016

Glass of rosé with lunch. In a beer glass. Because that's just how classy I am wink Cheers! grin

Friday 9 September 2016

Spotted in local motorhome dealer: 'Crossover' model of our snail. Think it takes bit more than fat tyres though! tongue

Friday 9 September 2016

Quick lunch stop. Tried Parisienne Bruschetta to discover it's cheese on toast with ham! wink Very nice though. Nom! tongue

Friday 9 September 2016

A full fridge. And yes, light inside is blue so our whole place looks funky if no others on when you open the door smile

Tuesday 13 September 2016

Bit of exploration & finding the limit of what's marked as a road. Still got those MTB skills, even on 25mm tyres! wink

Thursday 15 September 2016

Visiting the market hall in Tarbes. So... here's the obligatory 'piles of bread & cheese' pictures! wink

Thursday 15 September 2016

Eating figs straight off the tree. Yum! And... erm... nom, nom, nom, nom! tongue

Thursday 15 September 2016

Another difficult day in Southern France wink Hanging with friends while they force food & drink on us. Thanks guys! grin

Sunday 18 September 2016

First snow of the season fell on the Pic du Midi couple days back & more yesterday by the looks. #ViewFromOurDoorstep

Sunday 18 September 2016

It might not officially be Autumn for a few days yet, but it's certainly coming. Beautiful colours this morning.

Sunday 18 September 2016

Gathering for a birthday celebration in Toulouse. Lots of Indonesian food & french gateaux. Oh yes! Nom, nom, nom! tongue