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We went in the Kontiki - me, Liz, Hugh and Hugh's cousin Johnny Elliott. First to Argentat on the Dordogne then to Le Bugue, home of Max and Marguerite Avezoux, parents of my research student - in the Dordogne. We went to two places in the Pyrenees: Lescun (South of Oloron-Sainte-Marie off the N134); and then at the foot of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau; the campsite was at the end of a long narrow road off the D934, South of Laruns. We may have dropped the boys off at Toulouse airport. Then home North by way of St Antonin du Noble Val and the Auvergne.

Argentat in the Dordogne region Lescun in the Pyrenees Pic du Midi d'Ossau St Antonin du Noble Val Auvergne (?)

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..................... Argentat in the Dordogne
 
  Not Argentat. A typical desperate lunch stop; usually next to a municipal dump but here next to the sewerage system
 
  One of our favourite sites. Downstream from Argentat. Next to the most aggressive rapids.
 
  same
 
  same
 
  The rapids
 
  The confidant German canoeists usually got flung down the rapids backwards- our daily entertainment
 
  Dinner with our kayaking friends in the local pizzeria
 
  Alain Avezoux with Helen and children. They drove over to visit
 
  Johnny and Liz guarding the drying umbrellas/ Argentat was always good for a soaking thunderstorm
 
  Downstream of the rapids. The water was low and calm compared with most years
 
  Next to our van and tents
 
  Choice: go left for gentle trip or right down the rapids but the water was too low for much excitement
 
  The canoes resting during their trip from Argentat down to Beaulieu
 
  Our Kayaks next to our encampment
 
  Our neighbour in my kayak Johnny in my kayak
 
  My pupil learning from his mistakes  
 
  Upstream
 
  Downstream. On the right are the rescue bits of Les Sapeurs Pompiers who double up as life savers, mainly rescuing capsized shouting Germans
 
  Emptying my kayak after capsize
 
TOP Libby and Johnny in our favourite campsite


..................... Le Bugue. A small town on the Vezere near its confluence with the Dordogne. The home of Max and Marguerite Avezoux, parents of Alain, my research student
 
  In the famous aquarium
 
  Typical time with Max and Marguerite (centre) and their neighbours
 
  The beautiful bridge at Le Bugue
 
 
TOP Favourite bridge


.................... Lescun (South of Oloron-Sainte-Marie off the N134). A favourite mountain site with huge walks up into the mountains. NB I muddled pictures from Lescun and the Pic du Mid D'Ossau so there may be some wrong labels
 
  Lescun campsite
 
  The approaching storm
 
  Getting nearer
 
  Arrived
 
  On our great trek
 
  Sun now beat the rain
 
  Near the top
 
TOP On the way down from high trek


................... Pic du Midi d'Ossau; the campsite was at the end of a long narrow road off the D934, South of Laruns. NB I muddled pictures from Lescun and the Pic du Mid D'Ossau so there may be some wrong labels. I think some of the plateau were on our long trek from Lescun
 
  View down to the carpark at the Pic campsite
 
  On the left is the start of our huge walks up towards the pic
 
  At the top
 
 

lakes near the top
 
  The pic
 
  Nearly home. Our van was on the top right of the picture
 
  Close up. A rare picture as it includes me
 
  We are the first van on the right of the building
 
  Getting up near the peaks
 
  Not certain if this is the plateau towards the peak or if it is the plateau at Lescun
 
  The plateau
 
  Hugh makes friends everywhere
 
  What a relief
 
  Celebrating with Liz's lunch
 
  On the way up. This may be Lescun trek
 
  Close up
 
TOP Triumphant Hugh


...................

St Antonin du Noble Val        North of Toulouse on the way home

 
  Home
 
  The main reason for camping here
 
  By the river on the way to the mediaeval village
 
  View from the bridge
 
  Bridge view
 
  The village
 
  The church and window
 
   
 
  Museum (closed)
 
  Town hall?
 
  My favourite camper
 
  Beautiful bricks
 
   
 
TOP Our coffee stop


................... Somewhere in the Auvergne
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOP A typical Auvergne road