Jayden had to go with someone each time as he was too little to go on his own so we all took turns going with each other.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
LA MOUNTAIN LUGE HAUTACAM
We decided to stay in Loudes another night soas we could tackle La Mountain Luge Hautacam which wasn't opened until today. The weather was a concern but as we've discovered the weather predictions in France are never right. It rained during the night but today, albeit feckin freezing, especially as high as we were, the sky was blue and clear.
Jayden had to go with someone each time as he was too little to go on his own so we all took turns going with each other.
Jayden had to go with someone each time as he was too little to go on his own so we all took turns going with each other.
Friday, October 29, 2010
LE PIC DU JER
"Alllll aboard", Le Pic du Jer.
A rather steep ascent to a fabulous 360 degree view over Lourdes and surrounding towns.
A rather steep ascent to a fabulous 360 degree view over Lourdes and surrounding towns.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
LE PONT D'ESPAGNE
Shelley beat us all up this morning and went to mass at the Grotte at 8 am. At around 8:30am the rest of us got up and went down for breakfast.
Today we drove up to Cauterets from Lourdes (about 30 mins) into the Pyrennes Mountains. From there we went further up to Pont D'Espagne (another 20 mins) which is about 1500 metres above sea level. Along the way the kids had their first glimpse of snow alongside the road. Of course we had to stop so they could throw it at each other. The road along the way was quite challenging - very narrow. We drove through several avalanche tunnels along the way.
At Pont D'Espagne there is a ski lift which doesn't start working until December. There was enough snow on the ground for the kids to make a snow man. The ice on the ground was deadly slippery with Jayden coming unstuck at one stage.
It was freezing cold but after lunch warmed up nicely.
The waterfalls and the stream was magnificent.
I decided to do the hike up to Lac de Gaube which is a lake 5 km further up the mountain. At the end of the lake it is at 1900 metres so a steep hike up to it. Lots of snow along the way but at the top very little and quite warm. About a 2 hour round trip. The feet are sore tonight. Like the rest of the Pyrennes the landscape was breathtaking.
The view from the end of the lake looking further into the mountains.
On the way back to Lourdes Sofie talked us into going to have a look at a Luge (tobbogan) run we are going to have a go at on Saturday (weather permitting) at a place called Hautacam. I didn't realise how far up it was or how nervous it was to drive up there - no guard rails and a long way to the bottom.
Today we drove up to Cauterets from Lourdes (about 30 mins) into the Pyrennes Mountains. From there we went further up to Pont D'Espagne (another 20 mins) which is about 1500 metres above sea level. Along the way the kids had their first glimpse of snow alongside the road. Of course we had to stop so they could throw it at each other. The road along the way was quite challenging - very narrow. We drove through several avalanche tunnels along the way.
At Pont D'Espagne there is a ski lift which doesn't start working until December. There was enough snow on the ground for the kids to make a snow man. The ice on the ground was deadly slippery with Jayden coming unstuck at one stage.
It was freezing cold but after lunch warmed up nicely.
The waterfalls and the stream was magnificent.
I decided to do the hike up to Lac de Gaube which is a lake 5 km further up the mountain. At the end of the lake it is at 1900 metres so a steep hike up to it. Lots of snow along the way but at the top very little and quite warm. About a 2 hour round trip. The feet are sore tonight. Like the rest of the Pyrennes the landscape was breathtaking.
The view from the end of the lake looking further into the mountains.
On the way back to Lourdes Sofie talked us into going to have a look at a Luge (tobbogan) run we are going to have a go at on Saturday (weather permitting) at a place called Hautacam. I didn't realise how far up it was or how nervous it was to drive up there - no guard rails and a long way to the bottom.
In bike racing the ascent to Hautacam features many times in the Tour de France (one for you Dean). These signs were spaced out along the way.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
LOURDES
Well, here we are at Lourdes, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Lourdes is a major place of Roman Catholic pilgrimage and of miraculous healings. After the four and a half hour drive we checked into our hotel, Residence du Soleil, before going to check out a few of the sights. We spent most of the afternoon at Les Sanctuaires.
I made sure I had a BIG drink of the holy water ;)
Then I took Jayden with me through La Grotte. Sofie was hesitant to come at first.
But she came over to light one of the two candles I bought.
Then it was Dave's turn to walk through La Grotte and he was able to convince Sofie to go with him.
And then he held Jayden's hand to light a candle.
We walked through the town then and checked out La Office de Tourisme before heading home to freshen up before dinner. Over and out for an early night ready a big day tomorrow. More photos of Lourdes here.
I made sure I had a BIG drink of the holy water ;)
Then I took Jayden with me through La Grotte. Sofie was hesitant to come at first.
But she came over to light one of the two candles I bought.
Then it was Dave's turn to walk through La Grotte and he was able to convince Sofie to go with him.
And then he held Jayden's hand to light a candle.
We walked through the town then and checked out La Office de Tourisme before heading home to freshen up before dinner. Over and out for an early night ready a big day tomorrow. More photos of Lourdes here.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
LA GROTTE DE TRABUC
As the cleaner was coming to clean the cottage today we were up earlier than usual and ready to leave by 9 am. We were on our way to La Grotte De Trabuc, an ancient cavern full of stalagmites and stalactites. Since the first tour wasn't till 2.30 pm we stopped here and there along the way to take in the scenery.
We made it to the caves which were fascinating.
We made it to the caves which were fascinating.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
DESPICABLE ME
I forgot to say that after a second trip to the markets yesterday Dave came home with a bunch of flowers - only this time for his lovely daughter. Isn't he sweet!
I went to Church today (Catholique) and didn't understand a word that was said other than recognising the words Jesus, Jerusalem, Hallelujah and Amen. It was quite a different experience.
Another day, another bier for Dave:
And today it was my turn to take the kids to see a movie, in French. Moi Moche Et Mechant (Despicable Me). A really enjoyable film.
Card game score update:
Shelley 173
I went to Church today (Catholique) and didn't understand a word that was said other than recognising the words Jesus, Jerusalem, Hallelujah and Amen. It was quite a different experience.
Another day, another bier for Dave:
And today it was my turn to take the kids to see a movie, in French. Moi Moche Et Mechant (Despicable Me). A really enjoyable film.
Card game score update:
Shelley 173
Dave 242
Sofie 167
IT'S ALL ABOUT DAVE
Yeah, we're pretty excited with out snow gear so last night we sat and started a game of cards (hearts) wearing our beanies. At the end of our first session scores were as follows:
Shelley 36
Dave 28
Sofie 41
Saturday, being market day we stocked up on the good stuff. We're on a mushroom bender at the moment so there was no walking past the cepes, oysters and shitakes.
And Dave, the little piggy, bought two dozen oysters. He did share some though with Brian (owner of the cottage). It seems this blog is becoming more about what Dave's eating and drinking! The rest of us just look on with envy ;)
Market shopping done we sat at a brasserie for a cafe (coffee)
and jasmin tea. I'm in love with scarves!
Another round of cards and still playing the same game progressive score is now:
Shelley 91
Shelley 36
Dave 28
Sofie 41
Saturday, being market day we stocked up on the good stuff. We're on a mushroom bender at the moment so there was no walking past the cepes, oysters and shitakes.
And Dave, the little piggy, bought two dozen oysters. He did share some though with Brian (owner of the cottage). It seems this blog is becoming more about what Dave's eating and drinking! The rest of us just look on with envy ;)
Market shopping done we sat at a brasserie for a cafe (coffee)
and jasmin tea. I'm in love with scarves!
Another round of cards and still playing the same game progressive score is now:
Shelley 91
Dave 148
Sofie 103
.....to be continued
Rob and Mandy, we need you to knock him down!
And one for Dean and Michelle - Koenigsbier 8% extra sterk bier.
Rob and Mandy, we need you to knock him down!
And one for Dean and Michelle - Koenigsbier 8% extra sterk bier.
Friday, October 22, 2010
MARATHON SHOPPING EFFORT
We had a marathon shopping effort today at Decathlon at Nimes. This store is a huge sporting store where you can buy everything you need for any kind of sport. Our intention was to fit us all out in winter and snow gear as we'll be heading to spend a few days in the snow in the next couple of weeks. We were successful in decking us out with thermals, snow pants, snow jackets, thick socks, snow boots, beanies, gloves and liners, and some warm clothing - trackpants and jumpers. At 736 euro for it all (unbudgeted) we'd better get some use out of them. It's getting pretty darn cold here now. We had planned to go canoeing again today with the weather forecast for 18 degrees but at 10 am when we arrived it was still only 7 degrees. Needless to say we weren't very disappointed when they were closed anyway.
Dave's dinner tonight - another duck confit, cepes, and a few veges thrown in for good measure washed down with Bavaria 7.9% beer (special blond beer).
Dave's dinner tonight - another duck confit, cepes, and a few veges thrown in for good measure washed down with Bavaria 7.9% beer (special blond beer).
Thursday, October 21, 2010
LE CAPITOLE CINEMA
This afternoon the kids went to see Arthur3 at Le Capitole Cinema which is just 100 metres away from our home. Even though it was in French they said it was really good (tres bien). They said they could easily work out what was going on and recognised a few words. After the movie they had Nutella and Sucre crepes at the brasserie a bit further down the street.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
TAKIN' IT EASY
The Stark's have been taking it easy over the past few days with one of us not getting out of her jammies all day on Monday. Hey, I'm on holidays and it's a very rare occasion!
We cooked up some beautiful cepe's (mushrooms) that we bought from the markets on Saturday. They were a different flavour but delicious.
Dave loves nothing better than sitting on our little balcony, book in one hand, wine in the other. We've started to make it more like home buying little flowering plants at the market and planting them in the pots.
We went shopping today and Sofie couldn't believe we found Vegemite. We ran out of tubes that we bought with us and were missing it a little. It makes for an easy lunch to take out when we go out for the day - baguettes with vegemite.
Dave bought a rabbit which was totally disgusting with it's tongue hanging out.
But once it starting cooking it didn't seem so bad. Coated with flour, paprika and curry powder, seared in a pan with olive oil and then finished off baking in the oven.
I tried desperately hard to grow my hair, not having had a haircut since we left, but I was totally fed up with it and went to a hairdressers today. I found a picture in the window I liked and as she didn't speak any English and my French is very beginner I pointed to indicate what I wanted and voila.
We cooked up some beautiful cepe's (mushrooms) that we bought from the markets on Saturday. They were a different flavour but delicious.
Dave loves nothing better than sitting on our little balcony, book in one hand, wine in the other. We've started to make it more like home buying little flowering plants at the market and planting them in the pots.
We went shopping today and Sofie couldn't believe we found Vegemite. We ran out of tubes that we bought with us and were missing it a little. It makes for an easy lunch to take out when we go out for the day - baguettes with vegemite.
Dave bought a rabbit which was totally disgusting with it's tongue hanging out.
But once it starting cooking it didn't seem so bad. Coated with flour, paprika and curry powder, seared in a pan with olive oil and then finished off baking in the oven.
I tried desperately hard to grow my hair, not having had a haircut since we left, but I was totally fed up with it and went to a hairdressers today. I found a picture in the window I liked and as she didn't speak any English and my French is very beginner I pointed to indicate what I wanted and voila.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)