Rambles and Hikes - January/February 2022

 Rambles and Hikes around Saint Antonin - January/February 2022

Despite continued cold weather in the end of January, we got out for several nice hikes. We have joined two local walking groups (one meets monthly and the other weekly). These organized walks give us the opportunity to discover new trails, practice speaking french and meet new people. There are over 20 walks called "Petite Randonnes" or PR's near to Saint Antonin (pop. 1,800) which is less than 30 minutes drive from Auty. Herman and I have made a goal to hike or run all of these trails before we leave this area for Italy in mid-May. Saint Antonin is a lovely medieval village situated in a gorge on the Aveyron River. If you get the chance to watch the WWII film about a Scottish Special Operations Executive called Charlotte Gray (2001), based on a novel by Sebastian Faulkes (1999). This was filmed in and around Saint Antonin and many of the locals were extras during the filming.

View from above Saint Antonin with the fog in the valley below







 
Story behind this gravestone is that the deceased refused to be buried in the church grave yard, so instead he rests in the middle of nature along a trail.


 
Two "trolls" (Herman and Martin) this shelter is called a "gariotte" in this area. It was built by shepherds to stay out of the rain. There are many such structures in the countryside around here, most are smaller than this one.
 
A beautiful outdoor oven. These are fairly common to see, but this one is unusually lovely

Herman loves the steep trails with cables!


 

 

The following pictures are from a walk along the Bonnette River valley near to the village of Caylus:


A true hermit's cave which was lived in for many years. There was one lonely little bat when we peeked inside!





 
The following photos are from the snow drop (perce-neige) walk near to the Abbaye de Beaulieu-en-Rouergue:
Leaving Verfeil in a light rain







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