24/07/2022 - 15.70kms / 483m ascent / 978m descent
I spent a very happy and comfortable night in my peaceful valley, and once up I was in no big rush to get going. I saw the friendly Berger's sheep transferring from their sleeping area just above the Cabane d'Ardinet to go have their morning feed. Looking at the lead sheep I suddenly realised it was two dogs leading the flock, walking slowly and pausing to look back and check on progress! Fascinating. I'd heard of these dogs, the Patou. I wandered over to fill my water and the Berger had milked his sheep into a big stainless steel vat, I really wanted to taste it! I mentioned the dogs and how brilliantly trained they are to automatically lead the sheep, but he told me no training is involved. They are born into the flock and their instinct is to protect the sheep and think like them. Wow!
It's strange moving on sometimes on this trail, the times where you leave a stunning area with a tinge of sadness but buoyed by the knowledge you're moving onto new terrain, trekking and discoveries! I was happy trekking down into the lovely woods on the descent towards Lescun.
The weather was beautiful and I had a relatively short day planned as I was going to stop at the campsite at the Gîtes d'étape de Lhers. However, I managed to extend my walking somewhat by striding about a kilometre too far down the short section of road after the woods! I was suddenly aware of no GR10 waymarkers and realised I'd missed the turn off onto path again! Two 'veerings off' in two days - good going Craig! I was happy though, so the climb back up the road was fine!
Lescun is a really attractive mountain village. Really compact and with a great central area populated by a shop, two cafes and water fountains. I spent a lovely hour having two café au laits in the sunshine, it was so relaxing to watch life go by in this beautiful spot.
Fuelled by a bit of caffeine I left Lescun (900m) behind on the steep road down to the valley floor, to start the gentle climb up the other side towards Plateau de Lhers (997m). After some road there was a very pleasant forest section on a nice and easy gradient.
The paths were nice and gentle for most of the day, good for a bit of feet and leg recovery!
Approaching Plateau de Lhers there was a lovely forest section for welcome shade and coolness in the early afternoon heat, today was a hot one again. Not heatwave crazy heat, but above 30 degrees!
I managed to take a vaguely OK photo of myself - my mum will be glad I've included one with me in it!
Arriving into the Plateau de Lhers area I was struck by the intense green colour! It seemed extremely green! Beautiful.
The campsite a welcome sight and it was really nice. Great lawn terraces, lovely views and an immaculate ablutions block. Such friendly people running it as well. And so cheap! 8 Euros! I spent a wonderful afternoon in total relaxation, I surprised myself as relaxation doesn't come that easy to me. Although, to be fair, I've learned to be much better at it in the last year or so.
The heat died down as soon as the sun went behind the mass of Pic de Labigouer (2175m) and it was time to stuff my face with the remainder of the mountain sheep cheese in complete satisfaction at my day!
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