This is the last 'living in France' part of our trip and brings us to the stunning Pyrenees region. Such a change from the previous two locations with lush greenery everywhere - forests and fields alike. No sign of Mediterranean style vines or olives in the fields and no wild scrub. It's rich pasture and other green crops mingled between forest on the rolling hills.

This entry is labelled with 'Orincles' not because we were in that village, but as it is the closest place on the map to the accommodation - the wonderful Pyrenees Pursuits. Although this is only in the foothills the riding can be brutal (15% plus climbs just down the road) but of course that's why we (sorry, I) - am here

It is a little telling that this was the first time in the trip I felt the need to drive somewhere to start off a ride - the geography of the steep valleys and mountains just does not lend itself to being able to head off in any direction and form many different loops. Don't get me wrong - there's plenty of varied riding on the doorstep, but if you are limited with time on the bike then driving to the famous climbs was the way to go. Yes... the climbs... wasn't that worried about these after Ventoux but one still has to take care - coming into summer it was very nice to get a little warmth but that heat was vicious on a couple of days. Add to that the effort to string a few cat ones or a couple of HC climbs together and it can get a bit tough. Pretty pleased with how this all went though, and here's what I managed (in no particular order)...

Col d'Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet, Col d'Aspin, La Hourquette d'Ancizan, Col d'Azet, Col de Peyresourde, Col de Spandelles, Col du Soulor, Luz Ardiden, Hautacam & Col du Tramassel. Phew!

In between all this we managed a few more standard tourist activities and also some amazing walking which was also highly recommended.

Really, really beautiful place and quite sad to be moving on. We must return!

Saturday 26 May 2012

Stop in Carcassonne en route to Pyrenees. Amazing, even if a bit of a tourist trap! Must be nightmare in peak season!

Saturday 26 May 2012

The Basilica of St Nazaire: Stunning stained glass. Lucky to hear beautiful song from a Vocal quartet on this visit.

Sunday 27 May 2012

Fuel usage from Faucon to Orincles with lunch in Carcassone. Better before the last part of very up/down/twisty road.

Sunday 27 May 2012

Wake up, look out window. Literally say, "OMG, OMG, OMG... where's the camera?!" Yeah - it's a bit nice here!

Sunday 27 May 2012

Some views from our first ride in the Pyrenean foothills this morning. Beautiful day, great roads, amazing sights

Monday 28 May 2012

The supermarché in Lourdes: almost fell over when saw the price of Leffe! €1.67/l! Now to enjoy one with the view!

Monday 28 May 2012

Light lunch on the gîte terrace. Bit cloudy on the mountains behind but the sun is shining on us at the moment!

Tuesday 29 May 2012

Views from this morning's ride to Hautacam & Col du Tramassel. Loving the Pyrenees

Tuesday 29 May 2012

The Pic du Midi de Bigorre at dusk, as seen from our doorstep. Very nice - might have to wonder up there for a look?

Wednesday 30 May 2012

In Lourdes to have a look around the old religious parts. Who'd even know there's a giant Basilica underground here?!

Wednesday 30 May 2012

A little afternoon snack. Hmmmmmmmmm...

Friday 1 June 2012

On the path from Pont d'Espagne to Lac de Gaube (and return)... with the tame butterflies

Friday 1 June 2012

Lac de Gaube. Clear blue water with that backdrop. Absolutely stunning. Had to stop for a bite to eat and enjoy

Friday 1 June 2012

At the Pont d'Espagne end of our little walk. Lots of water everywhere. Very noisy but very cool!

Friday 1 June 2012

River by the road on the way home from Pont d'Espagne. Babbling brook & raging torrent from the same flow. Amazing!

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Love the light on the mountains this morning. Another perfect day

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Visit to Pau which is very nice. The château. Eglise St Martin is more colourful than most. Then lunch, Place Royale.

Saturday 9 June 2012

What a day, I might have lost a few fluids so time to re-hydrate! Imagine if it was actually hot & sunny!?

Saturday 9 June 2012

Post ride casserole. Yum!

Sunday 10 June 2012

Hmmmmmmmmmm... Drinks and nibbles...

Sunday 10 June 2012

Pratiwi & Vanilla the (short eared) rabbit. Cute... when she's not feeling frisky (the rabbit that is!)

Thursday 14 June 2012

Lunch at Payolle, followed by a short after stroll nearby. Not a bad spot at all!

Thursday 14 June 2012

Admiring the views from the Col d'Aspin... along with some rather hairy locals

Friday 15 June 2012

Short walk in the Castelloubon Valley. We got a tiny bit lost but the 'wrong' way just made for even better views.

Saturday 16 June 2012

Tourmalet & Luz Ardiden from today's ride. Disclaimer: some from earlier in the week but looked the same today

Sunday 17 June 2012

Rest day in the mountains. So beautiful and very satisfying when one has been riding in them the day before.

Sunday 17 June 2012

Messing about in a field above Les Granges... with two girls... and a camera... at dusk. Nice!

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Amazing sunset this evening!

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Dinner at l'Auberge du Bouic in Ayros-Arbouix (at the base of the Hautacam climb). Nom, nom, nom!

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Views from this morning: Col de Spandelles, Col du Soulor, Col d'Aubisque. Road between the last couple is amazing!

Monday 25 June 2012

Told to avoid the Breche de Roland (snow/ice) so short Col de Tentes walk. Views to Cirque du Gavarnie & the Breche.

Monday 25 June 2012

Cirque de Gavarnie: 1500m high crescent cliff with many waterfalls, largest having > 400m drop. Yes, worth the walk!

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Beautiful ride up Col d'Aubisque this morning. Shame I then got rather lost! Oh well - once in 4 months isn't bad

Thursday 28 June 2012

The modern Basilica of St Pius X. Not your average religious building. Don't build 'em like they used to, huh?