Quite a drive on Tuesday. First photo stop was near Font Romeu as we spotted a huge solar mirror.
What a place for a picnic!
Then over the Col de Puymorens. Maurice has a passion for signs, so.............
Then up to Andorra for cheap diesel, as we always do when we are here - it's well worth the diversion.
Pas de la Case, just over the border, is in an amazing setting
but is a horrible place, unless you are looking for cheap alcohol. (Must admit we did buy a couple of bottles.)
It was a relief to reach Ax les Thermes, which is lovely - a mountain spa town, complete with Roman pool. We happily sat and bathed our feet in the warm water.
After this it was a short run to a favourite aire in Les Cabannes. The secret is out....we were surprised to find it almost full, but thankfully there was just room. We were pretty tired and hot by now!
Feeling refreshed, the next day we pushed on via Foix and St. Gaudens and turned off towards the high mountains in search of the aire at Campan. We found it just in time before a huge thunderstorm lasting several hours. The next morning we stumbled across the
Maison des Mounaques, mounaque being the local dialect for doll.
A group of local women produce examples of traditional dolls. There is a tremendous variety of figures in local dress, and carrying out local activities! The dolls themselves are fairly basic fabric dolls, but the faces are skilfully painted.
So, after this little surprise, we tackled the Col du Tourmalet (2115 m) one of the classic mountain passes of the Tour de France much beloved by Maurice and Thomas.
Roadside snow on the way up!
And another photo opportunity for Maurice. Once over the top this was the view...
After all this we decided that we deserved a bit of a rest at a campsite, and after some searching around ended up in Lourdes on Thursday afternoon.
What a place for a picnic!
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