Route follows the skyline from right (pic de Trémul) to left, traversing
the snow apron beneath Mont Valier to climb the peak to its left Valieret
Two days in the mountains. The first day I set off from Pla Lalau climbing up through the woods towards the Cascade de Muscadet. When the path leaves the stream to head left towards the Cabane d'Aouen I crossed the stream to find the path that climbs steeply through the pine forest of Le Nères.
The stiff climb out the forest to reach the open slopes beneath the
pyramid of Pic de Trémul 2350m (on the skyline left of centre)
At 1800m the forest peters out and so does the path. There remains another 550m of ascent to reach the Porte de Trémul and it's a slog. A little over halfway I passed the Cabane de Trémul which was open and very well equipped with mattresses, blankets, firewood and a gas stove.
Cabane de Tremuls (ONF) open and well equipped
The Porte is a miniature "Breche de Roland" on the left side of the peak. I started scrambling from the directly out of the notch but the huge granite blocks and flakes are very loose and unstable. So after 15m or so I decided it was safer to gain the peak after passing through the Porte.
The trackless slog up to the Port de Trémul (the notch on the skyline)
From the summit I kept on the crest of the ridge for some very enjoyable scrambling and occasionally climbing high above the Riberot valley.
First part of the ridge after Pic de Trémul
The last gendarme - Cap de Pouech is very exposed and the most difficult part of the ridge. The wind was getting up by this time and I was glad for the easy terrain beyond.
The last two gendarmes on the ridge with Mont Valier beyond
Last and most exposed gendarme - Cap de Pouech 2489m
I continued on the same line until reached the North face of Mont Valier, disturbing some Ptarmigans on the way. A long traverse under the North face on fairly unstable scree and snow, then following the edge of the last terminal moraine placed me at the scree slope descended from the col between Valieret and the last part of the Crete des Antiques. Several rocks fell down the North face as I crossed and though they were some distance from me I decided to return by a lower route.
Two well camouflaged Ptarmigan
The crazy gendarme below Mont Valieret
The scree slope gains easy access to the ridge which is followed a short distance to the summit of Valieret, amazing views along the vertiginous ridge in both directions, but the Glacier d'Arcouzan as always is partially hidden from view.
Milouga from Valieret 2654m
Crete des Antiques above Valieret
I returned to the Col de Pecouch then descended to the Refuge Estagnous where I'd arranged to rendezvous with Sandrine, Hannah and Eric. The hut was full (60-70 people) but as always Stephan served up an amazing meal.
In the morning we returned via Milouga, Cap des Lauses and then my route of ascent at Muscadet.
The refuge Estagnous, Etang Rond and Etang Long
Another day at Pont de la Taule. Today was terrace day. There was a lot of faffing about to get main beams level, then quite a bit of shovelling muck, but once we (Chris and I) got into the carpentry it sped along. All done in a day - phew! Knackered!
A strong hot (24 degrees) south wind has been blowing all day. Producing amazing cloud formations.I swear I have been able to see the colours of the leaves on the trees changing before my eyes from minute to minute.
Sometimes the natural beauty of where I live is overwhelming. 
A beautiful day. Visited Justin and Emily this afternoon and spent my time playing with chestnuts with the twins. I picked up some pork for this year's ham (which I'm doing off the bone for the first time) and plenty of belly which I'm brining for bacon.
Susie has been visiting for the past few days and we've been having the most fantastic time. There was a good fall of snow on Monday followed by some gorgeous sunny weather, so we walked up to Pic de Cour Vic from the Col de Pause in the fresh snow.
Cold in the wind but deliriously hot in the sun so we had a snooze at the new (but closed) refuge d'Areau.
A hard frost last night but a glorious day today (23 in the sun). Managed to get some fuel this morning (big fuel shortages here due to the ever present strikes in France) then the VET came this afternoon to take annual blood tests from the sheep - two escaped, but 6 out of 8 was sufficient.
Snow last night down to about 1500m. Hail and rain showers this morning whilst I was working in the barn building the new stalls. I used the small ash trees I felled in field 8 plus an old door and the adoption pen which I've incorporated in case I need it again next year.
I'm always struggling for space in my tiny kitchen (particularly at this time of year with jars of jam, pickle and jelly and bottles of various drinks). So this morning when I realised there was the side of a wall cupboard not being used I quickly knocked up a drinks rack.
On Sunday I took two sheep to the abattoir (Leia and Ziggy) very sad..it's a horrible place - I think I'd rather do it myself here, they looked so out of place in some concrete floored industrial building. I collect the meat tomorrow. Appetite dampens the sorrow.
John gave me some quinces from his garden so I decided to make some Membrillo - the Spanish name for quince paste, quince cheese, or quince jelly. This particular recipe is quite sweet (some recipes have a bit more acidity). The membrillo is firm and cuts into slices for storing indefinitely in the fridge. The Spanish enjoy it with some Manchego cheese and a glass of sherry.
A beautiful hot day today - 30 degrees in the sun and hardly a cloud in the sky. I took advantage of the good weather and harvested the carrots before the moles/voles ate them all. About 40lbs (18kgs) in total. This year I've stored them dry in sand.
In the afternoon I moved the telephone line which used to enter the house in the middle of the front wall. Here it got hit by the snow sliding off the roof and was right across my view. Now it enters on the corner of the house with the electric supply. Moved the telephone socket inside the house while I was at it.
When I visited "Le Gabach" last week, I asked for permission to extend field 8 into a piece of his land. After a couple of days of chainsawing, brushcutting and fencing, the upper terrace has now been cleared for the full width of the lower terraces. Still a lot of work to do before the new part will be pasture but the field is now more usable and much lighter. I can also see Coumarba and Picarets for the first time from the field.
