Friday 20th - Tet Valley

Had a great trip up the Tet Valley today.  We got ourselves along to Ross & Liz’s at 8:30 and headed away about 9am. Our destination is up on the plateau above the Tet, not too far from where we went on Le Petit Train Jaune a few weeks ago. We took a nice devious route there, branching off to little interesting towns as we came across them and using the GPS to get back on track. It’s a fair way and we only came out the top of the valley about 1pm, then had a bit of a drive finding the tiny town of Caudies-de-Conflent where Jean-Louis and Jacqui live over summer.

Despite a slightly loose knowledge of the name of the town we found it OK. They have a tiny alpine cottage which they share with 4 silky terriers, two Chihuahuas, a mini bulldog, 3 squirrels, a chinchilla and a tortoise. It is a bit of a menagerie. All have to be carted there from Céret, which takes a couple of trips. We started with a very delayed morning tea, which led nicely into the picnic lunch we had brought with us. Both Ross and Liz and us had things to go to back in Céret, so we couldn’t stay too long.

Chocolate at Villefranche on the way up the valley

Nevertheless we had time to visit a very attractive mini-lake near Caudies before we set off in earnest. Following the GPS took us down a little narrow road with precipitous sides, leading us through the little village of Evol which looks like it might justify another visit for its old castle. Finally back onto the valley road and back home after a long but fascinating day. It’s good to get to know our surrounding area better.

The alpine meadows

An hour to have a bit of a rest and a drink and then off to new English friends for an aperitif at their apartment. We met them at a restaurant a few weeks ago - they come to Céret for weekends now and again, and then 2-3 weeks in the middle of the year. They live in an old house (4-500yrs) in a little village near St Albans about 30 minutes north of London. A drink and nibbles at 7pm turned into a very enjoyable chatty evening, with an eventual departure home at 9.30pm. They know New Zealand pretty well, having spent three weeks travelling around it, and are very keen to come back for another trip in a year or so’s time.  Like other friends we have made here, they are also keen to do a house exchange sometime.