Etang d' Eychelle and Tuc de la Messe

Super hot in the mountains today. We left the house a bit late and all found the climb up to the lake from the Col de la Core (1395m) taxing (I've had an stomach upset for the last couple of days which has left me a bit weak). At the lake we all took a dip to cool off - thank god for mountain lakes! Over lunch we saw a white Egyptian vulture - a rarity as the vultures here are usually griffon vultures or lammergiers.

After lunch we had planned to climb Tuc de la Messe, but the heat and the attraction of the lake was too much for the rest of the gang so I set off alone and made in the summit in an hour. Good views of the rest of the Pyrenees, more vultures (griffons) and a lone marmot.

Tuc de Quer Ner from the Cabin d'Eychelle

Mont Valier from Col de la Crouzette

Summit ridge of Tuc de la Messe (2446m)

Looking East

Jasper and Jordan above Col de la Core

The return to the car was encouraged by the promise of fresh fruit: we'd spied bilberries and raspberries growing on the hillside on the way to the lake. Alas on a handful made it back to the car uneaten!

Badminton

Mr Vole rescued from a near miss with a spade

Same goes for Mr Toad, these animals should be more careful

Deck rebuilt around the workshop

The strawberry bed rejuvenated by Susie

Enlarging the lunch terrace...pergola to come!

Salau

A return to lovely hot weather and trip to Salau to catch up with Alun and Breezy. Bathing and picnicking by the stream. At Quelebu the boardwalk around the shed is under reconstruction!

Icy cold water in the Salat below the Port de Salau

Some macro photos of flowers

Pic de la Forque

 Moonrise

Pic des Trois Seigneurs

With clear skies forecast for the morning a plan was hatched for a day out. The Dares elected to hang out, bathing in the lower reaches of a stream whilst the Sharps plus Oscar Dare headed off to climb Pic des Trois Seigneurs (2199m). 

Lots of vultures today particularly over the Etang d'Arbu.

Some wet sections of rock and persistent areas of snow made for an interesting ascent.

Oscar, Jasper and Ruby formed a good team.

The summit shot, reached just before the clouds rolled in.

Mont Valier above the clouds.

Decent across the snow.

The last few peaks on the ridge of descent were in dense cloud being blown by the westerly winds.

Back to the Ariege!

After a long but uneventful journey we're back at Quelebu. Arrived just before the heavens opened. today we've been chilling and made a couple of walks collecting mostly chanterelle/girolle mushrooms (some oyster mushrooms and a bollette too). The weather remains unsettled for a few days then hopefully back to sun on Sunday.

Sun and storms at the moment but good to be back.

The Dares are camping down at the barn and joining us on adventures

Bee and flower

Strange unidentified fungus

More fungus (milk caps)

Ruby with a Clitocybe

Two more days to go!

Cornworthy progress

Hell for leather now to complete before summer trip to Quelebu.

Trip back to France, highlights

Curtains and pictures in the Jasper and Ruby's bedrooms...

Afternoon thunderstorms... 

Varnished floors and new lighting in the living room and kitchen...

Stag beetles dating in the evening...

Moon setting in the early morning...

Bathroom painted...

Buzzard newel post taking shape..

Barn and field ready for summer visitors.

Red Lake

 A walk on the moor in the continuing heatwave to Red Lake for some skinny dipping. Cotton Grass everywhere!

The Extension at Cornworthy is nearly watertight so back to France at the end of the week.

Progress

Green chestnut framing

Almost finished building two chestnut trusses for the extension at Cornworthy. The framing is based on the trusses I altered in France. The shouldered mortice and tenon joints between the beam member and the ties allows for a strong joint and bit of tolerance in what would otherwise be a virtually impossible frame to assemble.

Timber frame speeding along