We have had a very good year here at La Chataigneraie, but we are now starting to slow down .   October is a wonderful time of the year, the day time temperatures are often perfect, as I write it is 27 degrees and I have just had a swim.   The trees are slowly taking on the autumnal colours and there is very little traffic on the roads, making it a real pleasure to explore the region.

Yesterday,  a friend and I drove  to Rennes le Chateau, a beautiful little village in the Corbieres, perched on a hill top with majestic views all around.   The village featured in Dan Brown’s, “The Da Vinci Code” and so has many visitors.   The drive there,  via the clifftop castle of  Queribus and the Gorges de Galamus,  is spectacular.   We spotted at least 10 eagles during the trip, which took us through the wine regions of Maury and Caramany.

Building this road must have been an enormous engineering challenge and one really wonders why is was ever built as it does not link any communities ,  however, I am pleased it was built as it is a breath taking drive.

The Church in Rennes le Chateau

Rennes le Chateau

Rennes le Chateau

We had lunch in Rennes le Chateau before heading homewards.   We made our way through another gorge, this time the “Gorges de St Georges” and whilst the engineering and road building skills involved were the equal of the “Gorges  de Galamus”, the drop from the road side to the bottom of the gorge was not as dramatic.    There was a far greater likelihood of a rock fall; we stopped to take the photographs you see below and the chap on the bicycle warned us not to stop as it was dangerous, we closed the car doors very carefully and crept out.

Gorges de St Georges

Gorges de St Georges

We then headed up into the foothills of Mt Canigou crossing the Col de Jau at just over 1500m.   The temperature dropped from 25 to 16 degrees and with a chilly wind it felt more like 8 degrees.

Col de Jau

We were soon back in Vallespir  to a welcoming 25 degrees.

A most enjoyable day out.

We have been reliably informed that Ryan Air are buying 300 new aircraft opening up Europe even more; do, therefore, keep an eye on their Web Site, and “New Destinations” as there are some fantastic fares on offer.   For the Scots amongst you, your prayers have been answered as there are flights now scheduled from Edinburgh to Girona and Carcassonne.

We would love to see you

Jim