Les Mines de Manganese, St. Lary

Just above the apartment was an old mine, with some visitor arrangements. LES MINES DE MANGANÈSE
We went for the underground experience and to see that mining was no different in France to the UK. Again no cameras underground.

This was our last day and tomorrow the long journey back to Calais and the boat home.

Foret suspendu, st. Lary

Just down the road from the apartment we had passed signs for a "foret suspendu" .. so today we went there with the girls to have a play .. Sue stayed in the van reading, and I kept my feet on the ground.

Canyon de Anisclo

Back in Spain, and another trip to the Monte Perdido area... we drove up a narrow winding road to the parking slot ... getting there early enough to park in the area, and not up the road like the late arrivals.

From here we walked up the GR15 following the gorge, for some distance before we turned around and came back down the other side.

Stopping for some food before getting back to the crowds, and a paddle in the river.

Back at the van we all piled in and drove back to the apartment. in the searing heat.

Pic du Midi de Bigorre

A day trip to the Pic du Midi de Bigore Up in the cable car and tour around the exhibitions and look out onto the magnificent panorama of the pyrenees.

Pic de Madamette

Another day in the mountains today ... heading for the Pic de Madamette. Park down by the lakes and head off up the GR 10 path.
A fine sunny day.

then back the same way.

Grottes de Labastide

After the rain yesterday the girls were not so keen to go to the mountains again today, so while the folks went off to repeat yesterday's excursion we went to some local prehistoric caves ... Les Grottes de Labastide
A very interesting location with some still being explored caves, and lots of facts from prehistory.

Then it was back to the apartment and a walk along the river into St Lary.

Valle de Pineta

The Goal today was for everyone to go for a walk around the Circo de Pineta, across the border in Spain. The forecast was not brilliant but it looked OK as we set off ...
First up a track beside the river with a large number of waterfalls, before we joined the track to the refuge, from here we broke out across the track leading up to the Circo, and as we climbed it got darker and eventually started raining harder and harder.
At around 1800 m it was unpleasant and the girls were not happy... with another 200m plus to go and no let up in sight I persuaded the old man to turn back .. he was disappointed but understood.
Soaked through we walked back down to the refuge then back along the tack to the car. As we arrived back everything was just starting to dry out.
The waterfalls were good to look at, but the climb was an effort in the rain and we made the right decision.

Lacs de Bastan

A gentle introduction to the mountains today ... heading out of St Lary near the apartment and up to a car park above.... from here we headed to the lacs de Bastan and then on-wards to the col de Bastanet