Henry becomes a mountain goat
We are planning to be in the Tarn for a few days and Simon had suggested 3 routes from Florac - west, south and east.
I had a full day until they arrived so I figured if I explored north I should be okay.
I chose a route that looked fairly twisty and set out. The whole day was a mixture of really really good roads and goat tracks interspersed with some of the best views yet.
I stopped at Le Pont de Montvert for lunch but the only thing left in the bakery was cold pizza. It still went down well. After that I looped through Genolhac, up the most magnificent mountain pass to Belvedere des Bouzedes then down again to Villefort.
I was now the furthest point from home base and it was already 3pm. I expected the boys to be arriving mid afternoon so began to head back. The section to Bagnols-les-Bains was spectacular. Flat and twisty with wide lanes and perfect surface. I've been struggling with left-handers and I was able to practice along this stretch until I got them perfect. It was a fairly hot day - around 25o - and I didn't have enough water with me. Luckily a very nice lady in a bar filled me up and I shall remember to be more careful in the future.
I have been putting sunscreen on twice a day but am still red in the face each evening - whilst the rest of me remains a snowy white.
When I reached Bagnols-les-Bains the map indicated a shortcut but when I turned onto the road the sign said "Difficult and dangerous". That's the road for me!
It was neither difficult nor dangerous and Henry loved it. The only vehicles we met for 50kms were two farm tractors.
I got back to Florac around 5pm and the boys had just arrived. And so one became six.
They set up camp, then Lawrence and I went to check out the local bar/restaurant. We ordered drinks and then asked for the menu. The lady gave us a verbal menu and then Lawrence ordered chicken and chips for two and salad for one.
I got my salad but the chicken never materialised - so 4 beers later, Lawrence gave it up as a bad joke and we retired back to camp.
Previous Entry
Next Entry