Hotel du Mont Aigoual Meyrueis

... view from the drivers side as I was looking right into the gorge (don't worry mum I drove very slowly and was very careful not to drive too close to the edge). Luckily there were many parking areas to stop at so both of us could get out and really appreciate how beautiful it was. On the downside it was still a little wet so hiking was off the cards...next time.

At the Chateau de Malerargues, surrounded by trees everywhere, Sebastian has voice training for the next couple months. The work consists of a mixture of breath, movement, and massage, as well as singing, sounds, and group work. It's hard to describe exactly what goes on, and each day is different. But the isolation, beautiful weather, and delicious fresh foods make for a great place to work, relax, and reflect. So why do so many people have so many nightmares here?

... Roman Arch bridges and cascading waterfalls. Beautiful! I hope the pictures tell a story better than I can. For our friends who love nature I would encourage you to put this area on your list for the next trip. Today we left the area and are in Arles. Back out of the long underware and in our short sleeve shirts. We will spend a few days in the south ending up in Vence (near Nice) to visit with friends we met in South America.

We departed Florac and headed by car deep into the incredibly beautiful Tarn River Gorge/Canyon in Cevennes National Park. The canyon runs for about 40 miles and it is breathtaking. The river is so clear, clean and blue. The walls of the canyon are very sheer and dotted with abandoned castles, manor houses, and old chateaus. The village of St. Enimie is in the canyon and is another one of the designated "prettiest villages" We LOVED this village ...

We are still staying in Florac tonight, but we took a beautiful drive to this village today. The Cevennes national park countryside is gorgeous with big, green hills and hardly any homes or buildings...just countryside! We went on a 5km hike to the Chateau Roquedhouil, a nice old home built in the 1500's. There was a very tall sequoia tree that was planed in 1887 and was about 25 feet in circumference.

... we reached Spain. But we sort of got sidetracked (AGAIN!) on the way down. We went to see the Geoffre de Paridac - "an enormous circular chasm or pot-hole 99m across & 103m deep, with lifts & staircases that take you down to a remarkable series of underground rivers & lakes". It was actually pretty good (not sure that my photos can do it justice though). Our second sidetrack, was a visit to ...

Please note that Causse is spelt with an au not a ui and the Gorges do not need a soutien!! The causses are high limestone plateaux at the western end of the Massif Central, rising to 1100/1200m. The Gorges are formed where millions of years ago caves in the causse have collapsed, to form deep river valleys, up to 400m below the causses, which makes for spectacular scenery. The ...

... is just too small. We have an awning to protect us from the worst of the elements and extend the living space, but with ground as soggy as this, and the wind chill factor to consider, it was only any good for storing our chairs and table. Given the shortage of warm clothes and welly boots, we are thinking of coming home early. If we time it right, it shouldn't be any more expensive than the money we would have spent on pitches and diesel.

Tonight we are staying in a farm under the amazing Millau Bridge (or the Grand Viaduc du Milllau) "a thrilling and wondrous vision". H nips out every 10 minutes to take another photo in different light!!! We watched a program on its making on Discovery Channel before we left home and this was one of the main sights he wanted to see in France. It is 2 ...

... fell asleep on the curb with a sandwich in my hand. My so called contiki "mates" then proceeded to form around me and have a photo taken with me in front passed out. How sweet of them. My state didn't improve and I had to return to camp. Missed out on seeing the Statue of David, which was disappointing, but mum has one at home so it didn't matter too much!