Lots of blackberries, gorse and heather out. Very pretty, just needed a bit more sunshine!
Meet lots of load friends to talk to, always a great place for that. Phoebe seemed to find her fare share of friends on the common too.
Sunday 30 August 2015
Dewlands Common, Verwood.
A walk with Phoebe on Dewlands common this afternoon.
Lots of blackberries, gorse and heather out. Very pretty, just needed a bit more sunshine!
Meet lots of load friends to talk to, always a great place for that. Phoebe seemed to find her fare share of friends on the common too.
Lots of blackberries, gorse and heather out. Very pretty, just needed a bit more sunshine!
Meet lots of load friends to talk to, always a great place for that. Phoebe seemed to find her fare share of friends on the common too.
Linford bottom, New Forest.
A lovely circuit from the car park at Linford bottom. In the car park go through the gate in the forest and turn right onto a grassy path that goes through the forest to reach the main cycle track. Turn right again at this junction and go down to the next gate.
Now leave the enclosure and turn left onto the main path. Go over the bridge when you reach the stream and keep on this track until you reach the next right turn.
Turn right and continue until you come to a junction in the forest where a broken fence lays to your left. Take the righthand path back towards the stream.
When you reach an open area of heathy land turn left and continue on the path that runs parallel with the stream until you reach the car park.
You will now either have to cross the stream or go on to the road and back into the car park. It's a lovely little circuit and takes about an hour. The little bridge is a good place to stop for a picnic or coffee if you have a flask with you
Now leave the enclosure and turn left onto the main path. Go over the bridge when you reach the stream and keep on this track until you reach the next right turn.
Turn right and continue until you come to a junction in the forest where a broken fence lays to your left. Take the righthand path back towards the stream.
When you reach an open area of heathy land turn left and continue on the path that runs parallel with the stream until you reach the car park.
You will now either have to cross the stream or go on to the road and back into the car park. It's a lovely little circuit and takes about an hour. The little bridge is a good place to stop for a picnic or coffee if you have a flask with you
Saturday 29 August 2015
Ashley forest, "Dump walk".
We always call this the "dump walk". What a name for a beautiful walk. We park just past the dump and walk down the track taking the second right track this takes you up a sandy track where at the top of the hill you turn left.
Shortly you will see a little path to your left, this path passes a number of burrows in the forest and takes you to the lookout. A great place for a picnic with good benches. Now keep going down the track until you come to a wide track.
Here cross straight over and this will take you to another track where you turn left and then left again to the tree tops trail. After that turn left again and keep on this track back to the car. A great walk to do with dogs or children.
Shortly you will see a little path to your left, this path passes a number of burrows in the forest and takes you to the lookout. A great place for a picnic with good benches. Now keep going down the track until you come to a wide track.
Here cross straight over and this will take you to another track where you turn left and then left again to the tree tops trail. After that turn left again and keep on this track back to the car. A great walk to do with dogs or children.
Thursday 27 August 2015
Les balcons d'Arles. Colombieres-sur-Orb
Les balcons d'Arles. Colombieres-sur-Orb. 2H 5km. Blue markers.This is a really pretty little walk. I started it from the car park for the Voie Vert but it really starts from the car park in the gorge. (If you start from the gorge car park walk down to the D908 and turn left after the bridge there is a little road on the opposite side of the road to Les Claps).
Follow it down keeping right after the houses (chemin des claps). Then left onto the little road past the voie vert and down to a tiny footpath. Turn right at a little wall and walk along this tiny path through the woods and past small vineyards. At a left turn join a large track which continues uphill, over the voie vert again and up the the D908.
Cross the road and take the little concrete road to your right. The road bears right at the château and goes up to la Barriere. Turn left past the forge and up the little street to le Theron. Follow the road up to the church and then bear to the left but take the right hand track uphill. This track goes through the woods and then opens out into lovely views of the valley and the gorge.
At a junction turn right onto the yellow/blue path down to Colombieres. There's a lovely viewpoint of the gorge on the way down. If you have started from the voie vert CP turn right at the steeps and then left. There's a lovely view from the bridge of the gorge and waterfalls. Cross the road and take the little road on the right down to Les claps.
Follow the blue markers carefully as it switches right and then left down a tiny cobbled path before coming back out onto a little road to cross a small bridge over the river. This route follows a lovely little bubbling channel of water all the way from the river at the top to join the river further down. It's quite fascinating how it winds it's way through the little streets, gardens and chestnut orchards. This is a delightful little walk and well worth doing if you don't fancy and big climb.
Follow it down keeping right after the houses (chemin des claps). Then left onto the little road past the voie vert and down to a tiny footpath. Turn right at a little wall and walk along this tiny path through the woods and past small vineyards. At a left turn join a large track which continues uphill, over the voie vert again and up the the D908.
Cross the road and take the little concrete road to your right. The road bears right at the château and goes up to la Barriere. Turn left past the forge and up the little street to le Theron. Follow the road up to the church and then bear to the left but take the right hand track uphill. This track goes through the woods and then opens out into lovely views of the valley and the gorge.
At a junction turn right onto the yellow/blue path down to Colombieres. There's a lovely viewpoint of the gorge on the way down. If you have started from the voie vert CP turn right at the steeps and then left. There's a lovely view from the bridge of the gorge and waterfalls. Cross the road and take the little road on the right down to Les claps.
Follow the blue markers carefully as it switches right and then left down a tiny cobbled path before coming back out onto a little road to cross a small bridge over the river. This route follows a lovely little bubbling channel of water all the way from the river at the top to join the river further down. It's quite fascinating how it winds it's way through the little streets, gardens and chestnut orchards. This is a delightful little walk and well worth doing if you don't fancy and big climb.
Wednesday 26 August 2015
Gorge d'Heric
An evening stroll up the gorge d'Heric to watch the last rays of sun touching the edges of the gorge. High up on the sides of the Caroux we saw an interesting goat type animal.
It was white with a little light brown, but it was difficult to see it's head.
I don't think it was a mouflon as they are light brown and it wasn't an albino.Looking at the picture again maybe it was a fun coloured mouflon!
It was white with a little light brown, but it was difficult to see it's head.
I don't think it was a mouflon as they are light brown and it wasn't an albino.Looking at the picture again maybe it was a fun coloured mouflon!
Source de Frejo, Olargues
A little walk at the waterfall of Source de Frejo, Olargues, this morning. A very pretty place for a stroll stroll or a picnic.
Tuesday 25 August 2015
La Cabriere
La Cabriere, 7.5 km/ 2.30H, Easy. Marked. This is a wonderful short hike on the Caroux massif without any real difficulties. Throughout the whole circuit there are exceptional views, beautiful heather on the surrounding hills, a good chance of seeing mouflon and a delightful contrast of landscape.
You can either start at parking areas near Madale or Le Fage. For this walk we started at the parking area for Le Fage, near Rosis, but it may be easier in hot weather to start from the carpark at Madale. Walk up the wide track to another parking area with signs for climbing. Take the track to your left until you see yellow markers directing you to turn right.
Take this path down until it splits and then take the path to the left. This path leads all the way around the upper Gorge de Colombieres with delightful rocky views of the gorge, Caroux, and the Orb valley below. Finally you start to go down to a point where the zigzags begin.
Here you will see a wooden post, now look for a small blue marker for a trail to your left. You may find it a little difficult to see at first. Take this blue trail (do not go down the zigzags). (If you want a shorter walk there is a little green marked trail that goes up from a large cairn just above here, this would take you past the quarry and over the hill of la Cabriere itself, a walk of around 1 hour).
Now follow the blue trail back up the hill a little and then down into the woods. It drops down through lovely old chestnut woods, on a little path with lovely views of the gorge de Madale. You will notice that you will not see many blue markers only old yellow ones this is fine. Now the trail drops down onto a wide dirt road beside a house and a yellow wooden post.
Turn left and walk along this track towards the Col de Madale, passing a small old quarry working. The track reaches the hamlet of Madale before the col. (We saw several eagles here and hillsides covered with pink and rose coloured heather). After the village you will come to a wooden signpost at the col. Take a left turn onto the GR7 red/white markings.
This small path leads over the beautiful heather and broom covered tops with remarkable open views of the Espinouse, Caroux, Monts d'Orb (it can get rather hot in the open on this part of the walk if left until the afternoon), and what seems like the whole of the languedoc down to the coast and over to Montpelier. The path now drops onto the wide track, turn right and go back down to the car park. This is probably the easiest walk on the Caroux massif.
You can either start at parking areas near Madale or Le Fage. For this walk we started at the parking area for Le Fage, near Rosis, but it may be easier in hot weather to start from the carpark at Madale. Walk up the wide track to another parking area with signs for climbing. Take the track to your left until you see yellow markers directing you to turn right.
Take this path down until it splits and then take the path to the left. This path leads all the way around the upper Gorge de Colombieres with delightful rocky views of the gorge, Caroux, and the Orb valley below. Finally you start to go down to a point where the zigzags begin.
Here you will see a wooden post, now look for a small blue marker for a trail to your left. You may find it a little difficult to see at first. Take this blue trail (do not go down the zigzags). (If you want a shorter walk there is a little green marked trail that goes up from a large cairn just above here, this would take you past the quarry and over the hill of la Cabriere itself, a walk of around 1 hour).
Now follow the blue trail back up the hill a little and then down into the woods. It drops down through lovely old chestnut woods, on a little path with lovely views of the gorge de Madale. You will notice that you will not see many blue markers only old yellow ones this is fine. Now the trail drops down onto a wide dirt road beside a house and a yellow wooden post.
Turn left and walk along this track towards the Col de Madale, passing a small old quarry working. The track reaches the hamlet of Madale before the col. (We saw several eagles here and hillsides covered with pink and rose coloured heather). After the village you will come to a wooden signpost at the col. Take a left turn onto the GR7 red/white markings.
This small path leads over the beautiful heather and broom covered tops with remarkable open views of the Espinouse, Caroux, Monts d'Orb (it can get rather hot in the open on this part of the walk if left until the afternoon), and what seems like the whole of the languedoc down to the coast and over to Montpelier. The path now drops onto the wide track, turn right and go back down to the car park. This is probably the easiest walk on the Caroux massif.
Monday 24 August 2015
Mons, La Coste, Gorge d'heric.
Mons, La Coste, Gorge d'heric. 1H 15, 4.5km. Follow the blue markers down from the church in Mons, then left onto the voie verte. Lovely views down the Jaur valley and up to the Caroux. Pretty little fields of fruit trees too.
Continue on the greenway through the village, and over the bridge before turning up to La Coste at the picnic bench under the trees. In La Coste go through the hamlet and follow the yellow markers left towards the gorge.
At the gorge cross the bridge and turn left towards the car park.
Continue on the road to the house on the right next to road sign with yellow/red and blue markers turn right and go through the woods back to Mons. Pretty walk. Easy.
Continue on the greenway through the village, and over the bridge before turning up to La Coste at the picnic bench under the trees. In La Coste go through the hamlet and follow the yellow markers left towards the gorge.
At the gorge cross the bridge and turn left towards the car park.
Continue on the road to the house on the right next to road sign with yellow/red and blue markers turn right and go through the woods back to Mons. Pretty walk. Easy.
Sunday 23 August 2015
Three windmills, Faugères
I think this has been my two year old granddaughters Chloe's favourite outing this week. We went to the Three windmills walk and it was in the clouds, within a few minutes a storm came in and we soon got soaked, the rain got very, very hard and the only people out was our family and another rather wet British family with their soaked children.
Chloe loved all the puddles and then the gushing torrents of red water flooding down the hill, the harder it came the more excited she got. We all got back in the car and she ran off shouting more puddies, more! In the end we all come home rather wet, but everyone said it was a very exciting walk and had ticked all of Chloe's boxes for her thrill seeking. Three was me saying be careful of storms and we ended up in one. The thunder was a long way off though and we were never that far from the car. Mind you I wouldn't recommend it for the best way to spend Sunday morning!
After a storm in the evening, I was woken with flashes, sparks, zapping noises and finally burst of flames from a cable in the garden opposite fraying it caught in the trees. It was such luck that it had been raining all night as the garden is like a meadow and full of dried grasses and trees. If the cable had come down or it hadn't rained I think the forest behind and a few houses would have been in real danger. The kittens seemed tired today and rather damp. I think they have found our wood store cellar now so they stay mostly dry in the heavy rainstorms today. EDF were very quick to come and fix the power cable and all is well in Mons once again.
Chloe loved all the puddles and then the gushing torrents of red water flooding down the hill, the harder it came the more excited she got. We all got back in the car and she ran off shouting more puddies, more! In the end we all come home rather wet, but everyone said it was a very exciting walk and had ticked all of Chloe's boxes for her thrill seeking. Three was me saying be careful of storms and we ended up in one. The thunder was a long way off though and we were never that far from the car. Mind you I wouldn't recommend it for the best way to spend Sunday morning!
After a storm in the evening, I was woken with flashes, sparks, zapping noises and finally burst of flames from a cable in the garden opposite fraying it caught in the trees. It was such luck that it had been raining all night as the garden is like a meadow and full of dried grasses and trees. If the cable had come down or it hadn't rained I think the forest behind and a few houses would have been in real danger. The kittens seemed tired today and rather damp. I think they have found our wood store cellar now so they stay mostly dry in the heavy rainstorms today. EDF were very quick to come and fix the power cable and all is well in Mons once again.
Saturday 22 August 2015
Gorge d'Heric.
A little walk up the Gorge d'Heric. Watched a little friend for quite a while, he even had a little look in my rucksack. It looked like a storm was on it's way so we made for home.
I meet this lovely little chap in the Gorge d'Heric today. Not sure if he was a European mink or a stone Marten. I was talking to a French lady who said that he was a Fouine but he didn't have a white patch on his chest, so maybe mink? She added that they sold the meat at the supermarket.
Not sure what supermarket she shopped at but he she went on to tell me that it tasted rather strong, it was at that point he ran off from sorting out our rucksacks and headed for the safety of the rocks!
Just a reminder of the dangers of storms at this time of year. Do check the weather forecast before a walk and watch out for a build up of clouds. Always carry a lightweight waterproof on long walks. Never shelter in woods or forest. Try to find shelter in a cave or stone building. If you are on a col, cliff face or mountain top do not stand near the edge. Try to make yourself small and low or get away from the any high places as quickly as possible. Do not stand near large bodies of water and never camp near a river/stream if a storm is likely.Just one thing to add, if you are walking in a large group, it's best if you leave a gap between you and don't hold poles or umbrellas.
I meet this lovely little chap in the Gorge d'Heric today. Not sure if he was a European mink or a stone Marten. I was talking to a French lady who said that he was a Fouine but he didn't have a white patch on his chest, so maybe mink? She added that they sold the meat at the supermarket.
Not sure what supermarket she shopped at but he she went on to tell me that it tasted rather strong, it was at that point he ran off from sorting out our rucksacks and headed for the safety of the rocks!
Just a reminder of the dangers of storms at this time of year. Do check the weather forecast before a walk and watch out for a build up of clouds. Always carry a lightweight waterproof on long walks. Never shelter in woods or forest. Try to find shelter in a cave or stone building. If you are on a col, cliff face or mountain top do not stand near the edge. Try to make yourself small and low or get away from the any high places as quickly as possible. Do not stand near large bodies of water and never camp near a river/stream if a storm is likely.Just one thing to add, if you are walking in a large group, it's best if you leave a gap between you and don't hold poles or umbrellas.
Friday 21 August 2015
Source de Frejo, Olargues
Source de Frejo, Olargues. A short stroll to the waterfall and a little wander along the Jaur. Half way between Olargues and Julio, with a car park next to the voie verte.
On a 9,000 hectare site, it's a beautiful area to explore, picnic or swim, makes a delightful evening stroll too. Walk across the little bridge and follow the path down to the waterfall.
Walk along the edge of the river (upstream) until you reach a delightful little sandy beach, (the other side of a large rock). If it was on Bali you would believe it was real, but here it's just magical. The light, clear water and soft sand. So pretty.
After visiting the little beach follow a little path back to the Source de Frejo sign post. If you want a longer walk. you can walk on the Voie verte from either Olargues 3km return) or Saint-Étienne-d'Albagnan (a longer walk), both have parking areas on the greenway.
On a 9,000 hectare site, it's a beautiful area to explore, picnic or swim, makes a delightful evening stroll too. Walk across the little bridge and follow the path down to the waterfall.
Walk along the edge of the river (upstream) until you reach a delightful little sandy beach, (the other side of a large rock). If it was on Bali you would believe it was real, but here it's just magical. The light, clear water and soft sand. So pretty.
After visiting the little beach follow a little path back to the Source de Frejo sign post. If you want a longer walk. you can walk on the Voie verte from either Olargues 3km return) or Saint-Étienne-d'Albagnan (a longer walk), both have parking areas on the greenway.
Thursday 20 August 2015
Le-Poujol-sur-Orb.
Park at the voie verte parking at Poujol. Go to the end of the parking area and go up the steps to the road above, walk towards the village.
Find the yellow and red/white markers and take the little lane that goes uphill towards the vineyards. Go past the the shrine and the stone wall. Lovely views of the Caroux. Soon you will see a yellow cross on the take to your right take this track. It's the sportif trial.
There are several wooden pieces of sports equipment and a few benches along the way. When you reach a junction turn right to go down hill to the voie verte. Turn right onto the voie verte and head to the cars.
Wednesday 19 August 2015
Roquebrun.
We went down to Roquebrun with our family today. It's always lovely to picnic on the beach with our grown up children and grandchildren but Phoebe our dog always needs a walk.
There are lots of super short walks on either side of the river to walk her there. You can follow the river down from the beach (shady) or cross over the bridge to the canoe side and follow the little road beside the river.
If you are over near the mill, take the little road up into the hills that's just behind. Basically follow either of the two marked walks, but then return the same way after you or your dog has had another sunshine for the day.
There are lots of super short walks on either side of the river to walk her there. You can follow the river down from the beach (shady) or cross over the bridge to the canoe side and follow the little road beside the river.
If you are over near the mill, take the little road up into the hills that's just behind. Basically follow either of the two marked walks, but then return the same way after you or your dog has had another sunshine for the day.
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