Day 15 Tuesday 11th May
Bilheres to Laruns 8 miles (Week 2 Total 76 miles)
Today reminded me of some of the Geography lessons learned so long ago.
What struck me first of all was that the Ossau valley is a pretty good
example
of a typical U-shaped glacial valley - steep sides and a wide flat
floor. Not desperately exciting scenically unless you go up the valley
sides, though.
Then there was the hydro-electric power. The energy produced by all
this fast flowing water is being put to good use. Notices are
everywhere warning people that because of dams and power stations
water-levels can change suddenly.
This evening's reading reminded me of the practice of Transhumance,
where animals are moved from the valleys up to the summer pastures
about now and then back again in the autumn. This valley is apparently
one of the few which still follow the age-old tradition, the sheep and
shepherds have already started to move and the festival marking the
movement of the cows and goats will take place this weekend.
And I thought i'd forgotten all I ever knew.
Tomorrow will be an odd sort of day, my first rest day alone. I've
checked out my route for Thursday with the Tourist Office with respect
to snow conditions and only need to fix accomodation so I have a
completely free day. I'm thinking of catching a
bus to Eaux Chaudes to see if their Spa matches up to the Bath one.
Seems a good way to prepare for a long day on Thursday, don't you think.