Friends in High Places

As the photos below show, we went to Peyrepertuse today. WHEW! Yes I suffer from a fear of heights and I find going to these places challenging. Mostly the lead up to them. If I have to think too much about what might be involved in the way of vertical climbs I start to sweat. Once I get there I tend to do alright, mostly by going up fast and staying away from edges. Of course, I can't help myself and have to look out or over things ( not too far over) just to be able to say I did it. It is all worth it in the end. The Chateau is spectacular, a wonerful mix of standing and fallen, giving the feeling of strenght and age. This one of the Cinq Fils was put up around 1100 ad. Right across one of the valleys stands a brother Chateau, Queribus, equally formidable.

We were joined for this excursion by our friend Tamara who is also in the area with her family for an extended period. Tamara has an excellent head for heights and thereby managed to get me to go to all corners (and heights) of the Chateau; and I'm glad. Helene, of course, does all of this carrying Loic. I can't even consider it!

Looking across two different valleys from the summit I was once again struck by the overwhelming beauty of this area. It would not take much to get me to stay here full time; just a good job and the ability to speak French, oh well. It makes such perfect sense to me why for millenium people have chosen to live here. Perhaps my idea to have an eco-retreat in northern Ontario should be moved to le Pays Cathare, the winter is softer and the wine cheaper! I'll just have to build it closer to the bottom of the mountain.