Our life in Uzer has settled into our normal house sit rhythm. Quiet days at home, walking and caring for animals, the odd day out/adventure. Our house sit horses – Oephnix and Coonix – are very friendly – especially when you’ve got a treat to share. They love pieces of hard stale bread and a bit of a pat. Balto – the dog – really enjoys his afternoon walks by the river – never tires of chasing sticks into the water or leading us along the track that edges the river. Stops, looks back and waits for us on every corner. He gets anxious if one of us is lagging behind. We took him to Col de la Palomieres – a local mountain pass – the other afternoon. Nothing like a change! Bit of a misty day so the views were on the hazy side but still a beautiful place to visit. Drove the “back way” – through the village of Lies – along some of our local mountain tracks. Lots of sheep grazing on the side of the road as we went. So typical of this area – very rural, very quiet. The only really consistent noise is the sound of cow bells “dingling” away as the local cows nibble at the grass. Even the odd sheep has a bell – it makes them easier to find if they wander too far. I guess there’s always one escapee trying to break out and have a little adventure. Can’t blame them really!
Our day out recently was to Lourdes – town about 25 mins away. The drive to Lourdes is beautiful – the road runs parallel to the Pyrenees. Rolling hills, lovely little villages, mountains in the distance. Worth it just for the drive. Lourdes is a famous pilgrimage destination for Roman Catholics – between 4 and 6 million visitors each year. There’s heaps of hotels and souvenir shops with statues, candles, mugs and plates etc for sale. The main religious attractions are the Rosary Basilica and the Massabiele Grotto/Cave that sits beneath it. A regular open air Mass and other celebrations are held in the grotto. There’s also the local natural spring of “healing water” – it’s free for people to drink on site or to fill containers to take home. There are also pools of the water for visitors to bathe in. All of these – and many other religious buildings – are set around a large stone plaza, with extended grassed areas and footpath leading into the center of Lourdes. After checking things out – there was a Mass happening in the grotto while we were there – we took the footpath into town. You can’t help but notice Lourdes Castle/Chateau Fort as you walk along – it sits in the middle of everything, high on a hill. We wound our way through the Old Town – lots of character – and decided to visit the castle and its Pyrenean museum. Thank goodness there’s an elevator up to the castle – not sure if we would have made it otherwise! Would’ve been a very, very steep climb. Great stone walkway from the elevator to the castle gate – lovely views over the town. Lots to see in the castle museum – some excellent displays of everyday life, history and culture in the Pyrenees region – amazing old photos of farmers stacking hay on the side of a mountain! Don’t know how they kept their balance. Interesting to walk around the Cavalier Sud or defense platform with its narrow arrow holes/slits and turret. Views in every direction – great for the soldiers to keep a look out. We did manage the many, many steps to the top of the castle keep – really tested our fitness! Everyone was puffing by the time they reached the top. There were little smiles, sighs and nods of understanding as we all tried to catch our breath. Then it was back through the Old Town, back to our car and home. Really enjoyed it!
Love again
Di and Reg
PS Balto is always soaked by the time we leave the river – he never does anything by half! Needs a extra good a rub down with a towel before we head for home. Very cute!
This entry was posted in Europe, France, House Sits, Uzer, Hautes Pyrenees