Day trip to Mirepoix and Camon

For our anniversary we thought we'd do a little road trip to the other side of the Ariege.

Mirepoix

The medieval town of Mirepoix for lunch and then onto Camon - one of France's most beautiful villages. Compact with a Castle and Abbey it has an annual Rose festival (which was a couple of days ago) as nearly every house has a different species of climbing rose outside.

House martins and swallows were everywhere

 

A spell of cold weather has brought fresh snow down to about 1300m. Yesterday Thelma gave birth to a little lamb Wilma and for the past few days this rather magnificent short toed eagle and his mate have been frequenting the birch tree in our field. Despite their impressive size they eat mostly snakes and lizards.

On the loom currently

Two more colourways for my "swirl" design. The combination of lighter colours has made for a subtle pattern, whilst the "less lustrous than silk" tencel, which is also slightly thicker, has altered the design slightly.

The blue and yellow, evokes the "seashore" imagery in the design. The all yellow is less successful.

On the second loom a couple of yoga blankets in our own homespun wool are underway. The blankets are woven folded in half (fold on the right, to loose edges on the left) so they will be double the width of the loom.

Two more shawls in doubleweave with linen, lambswool and silk and already being put on the first loom.

Cabane d'Eychelle from Col de la core, Ruby and lambs

Ruby has arrived for long stay and we've been treating her to the joys of rural life. Plenty of cuddles with out three little lambs!

Iggy, Nattie and Pachuli

On walks we've heard but not seen the Golden Oriole and a medium spotted woodpecker has it's nest with young near the Pla d'Artigue.

On Saturday we ventured into the mountains on a short walk from the Col de la Core to the Cabane d'Eychelle. There's still a fair bit of snow and after the cabane snowshoes or crampons would be advisable

Etang d'Eychelle in the background

The Etang d'Eychelle is still partially frozen but it was alive with mating frogs.

When we got home in the early afternoon it was clear that Barley was getting ready for labour. We moved the sheep to the shelter field. Barley separated herself from the flock but allowed a visit from Louise (who is now blind and very old). We realised that Louise is Barley's mother. At about 8.45 she gave birth to a little male lamb, who we called Louis. We got mother and baby safely in the barn just before dark...fortunately as ruby saw the fox shortly afterwards, obviously attracted by the baby lambs first cries.