Esbints

In the middle of nowhere and very simple, Esbints is a littkle gem.
Gilla has retired from her shepherd duties and concentrates on Gite
stuff. she's german, was a teacher but got fed up with being a german
civil servant and ended up 33 yrs ago down here with the sheep. Now
she seems to take charge of al Gite activities in the area -
unoficially of course. Anyway, the Gite is a one up one down converted
barn with a selection of double & single bunks sleeping 10 and some
seating and balcony upstairs plus an outside loo, and kitchen/dining
space and shower downstairs. She provides meals for walkers who stay,
in her own kitchen, all organic and local. Good food and atmosphere is
very special. Candlelit breakfast not because of lack of electricity
but because it makes it feel warmer and more welcoming. And she also
makes it her business to know about the state of paths, gites etc in
the area and gave me loads of info about where to go and where not to.
Gilla's husband and son are both shepherds and are currently preparing
for the move to summer pastures - the Estives - the annual
Transhumance of the animals higher up the mountains. They leave with
their own sheep and flocks from other shepherds to spend the summer in
their cabane in the mountain, only to come down from time to time for
a couple of hours to collect food supplies firnthwmselves and their
dogs. A strange kind of life for everyone.