Col de Lau depuis Aulus les Bains

With appointments in the afternoon and low cloud we decided on a low level walk from Aulus. There's a path that climbs to eventually traverse the face of Mont Beas passing via the Col de Lau to eventually reach the Col du Dret. It's a long gradually climb of about 800m. Mostly in forest on granite. Then suddenly you leave the treeline and emerge in a karst landscape below the steep south face of Mont Beas. Quite spectacular. Return by the same itinery for 4 hours of exercise including lunch.

 

Col de crouzette via etang d'eychelle et etang d'ayes

First time in the mountains since my knee problems, but equipped with a pair of knee supports all went amazingly well. We (Al, Breezy, Sheri, Susie and I) started in the clouds from the new lower parking on the piste de mont noir above the Etang Bethmale. From there steeply up through the forest and clouds to the Col d'Auerole where our loop began.

We decided to go clockwise, climbing past the etang d'eychelle, to eventually reach the col de crouzette for lunch with views towards Valier and some very friendly merens horses and foals.

From here we traversed westwards to eventaully reach the col de roc plat below Pic de Montgarie, where we descended to join the GR10. This traverses high above the Riberot valley before passing below Pic de Crabère and descending to reach the Etang d'Ayes. A short climb back up to the Col d'Auerole and the loop was complete. 

1173m of ascent and 15km.

On the GR10

 

One of many wheatears

Advancing twills off the loom

 

An evening for skies

 

Stairs at last

 A busy few days making a stair. Lots of routing to make the string housings, treads and risers, then a over hundred wedges. Assembly went fairly smoothly but the installation was a pig. Although it's only made from pine and only 73cm wide its still pretty heavy. The hole in the floor is a few cm wider than the stair, but the odd protruding rock, the newel post and other irritations made it impossible to get into place from below. After getting it wedged in the wrong place a rethink was necessary.

We got it free then dragged the whole stir up onto the first floor, then tried to install from above. Eventually after getting it stuck a second time, I reach for the hammer and bolster. Some stones were trimmed and numerous blows with "the persuader" aka a big mallet and the stair finally dropped into place. 

Too coats of varnish before bed and we finally have easy access to the first floor.

The elusive Golden Oriol

A few days ago the distinctive calls of a handful of Golden Oriols close to the house. I spent 2 hours trying to spot them in the canopy, let alone photograph them, without success.  They're known to be secretive!