WALKING - or is that getting lost - IN THE LANGUEDOC.
There had been quite a bitter north wind blowing during the first few days of our return to St.Pons but as it died away it was time to get out walking in earnest, with the sun out, once you were enroute and tackling an incline you could almost be stripped down to a t-shirt, but not for us, it was more of a novelty to complain about being too hot still wearing a sweater.
Our first walk was to be the circuit at St.Genies de Fontedit. I have an old friend who lives there whom I hadn't seen in almost 3 years and had failed to contact by phone, so if we went for a visit and there was no one home at least the 'long' drive wasn't a waste as a long walk would compensate.
It turned out the friends were in residence so the walk was curtailed time ways, instead of doing the full figure of 8 circuit we would just do the top loop. The walk I believe is called the Circuit des Croix/Circuit de Moulin, the loop north of the village being the Moulin bit. All the St Genies walks seem to commence at the Cave cooperative (where wine is made by the gallon) and there were a couple of maps and a plethora of signs, 3 to the left, the top one being for the Moulin with a carved windmill beside the title.
O.K. says I, we just follow the windmills.
First junction, no windmill, but now 3 signs each having a red, black or blue dot. the top one was red, the Moulin sign at the cave had been the top one, I applied the logic, follow the top one, follow red dots. And so we did, they appeared a bit randomly, and we had to back track once, but a pleasant walk it was. It was a novelty to be on the flat looking at views of the mountains instead of being up there looking down (not as interesting to be honest). We stopped after half an hour and had what was now a late picnic lunch thanks to socialising then continued on our way, over a bit of a hill and about 15minutes later we were back in St.Genies!? So something went wrong there, red dots mustn't have been the way to go.
Our first walk was to be the circuit at St.Genies de Fontedit. I have an old friend who lives there whom I hadn't seen in almost 3 years and had failed to contact by phone, so if we went for a visit and there was no one home at least the 'long' drive wasn't a waste as a long walk would compensate.
It turned out the friends were in residence so the walk was curtailed time ways, instead of doing the full figure of 8 circuit we would just do the top loop. The walk I believe is called the Circuit des Croix/Circuit de Moulin, the loop north of the village being the Moulin bit. All the St Genies walks seem to commence at the Cave cooperative (where wine is made by the gallon) and there were a couple of maps and a plethora of signs, 3 to the left, the top one being for the Moulin with a carved windmill beside the title.
O.K. says I, we just follow the windmills.
First junction, no windmill, but now 3 signs each having a red, black or blue dot. the top one was red, the Moulin sign at the cave had been the top one, I applied the logic, follow the top one, follow red dots. And so we did, they appeared a bit randomly, and we had to back track once, but a pleasant walk it was. It was a novelty to be on the flat looking at views of the mountains instead of being up there looking down (not as interesting to be honest). We stopped after half an hour and had what was now a late picnic lunch thanks to socialising then continued on our way, over a bit of a hill and about 15minutes later we were back in St.Genies!? So something went wrong there, red dots mustn't have been the way to go.
Next day we stuck to what we know and love the circuit above our house, should I tempt fate? by saying we don't seem to get lost up on the hills above us anymore.
This lonely tree is one fail safe landmark.
Next day, Sunday, we decided to drive down to St.Chinian for a walk, which I had noted down the main directional details of, that of course meant that it was beautifully way marked and my back up was not required, typically the way. Oh. except there was one hiccup, right at the start, I boldly set off down the route to Assignan, then remembering my notes recalled it should be a path off the route to Villepassens we should be heading for, about turn! Up the 'main road' we walked as the path failed to materialise but I knew at the top it would bisect the road and all would be alright, that transpired. The circuit overlapped itself, start and end using the same path so all would hopefully be revealed in due course where that missing path was hidden. Lovely, lovely walk, and as Husband has said before - when you have a picnic you never see an idyllic spot, when you don't, you do - understand?
When we returned to town along the correct path, where did it come out onto? route to Assignan, moral of the story - follow your gut instinct.
Had lunch in the 'Village' very pleasant, absolutely spotlessly clean, heavy but yummy chocolate mousse.
Windmill in distance - not St.Genies', but St.Chinians'.
Bare vines, patterns, making me think about painting again.
In another couple of weeks when the blossom is out in this almond orchard this is going to be the most beautiful of picnic stops.
Will be in touch when we get lost again.
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