France 2023 tour.

runnach said:
Tonight’s park up and view, Lac Salagou.View attachment 67097
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Ah, the Red Lake, remember it well. We used to stay in an old mill a few km away for several weeks every summer when we lived in Paris and when it got too hot for the kids (ie every day) we’d take them there and they’d sit in the water all day. Beautiful turquoise water and red earth in those days - has it changed any?
 
tonybvi said:
Ah, the Red Lake, remember it well. We used to stay in an old mill a few km away for several weeks every summer when we lived in Paris and when it got too hot for the kids (ie every day) we’d take them there and they’d sit in the water all day. Beautiful turquoise water and red earth in those days - has it changed any?
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Tony, land still red, reminds me of the red whin dust used for tennis courts back in the day. Water looks pristine, not long arrived and much to see.
 
I have drove down the Bealach a few time, and a handful of times with our current MH without any concerns at all. Arrived at the Cirque de Navacelles this morning and started to take the 300 metre deep drive down to the small village at the bottom, I got to the first hairpin, then I viewed what I had in front of me, bum cheeks started to twitch, a sign that tells me time to stop, which I did, I then did a about turn using the space at the hairpin, now turned and started to head Bach up, I was met with a car, I had to do a tricky reverse back down to the hairpin. An experience I would not like to do again! Also, no passing places, any errors would no doubt result in a big fall over the side. A couple of pics of road and hairpin where I turned around.IMG_4166.jpegIMG_4167.jpegIMG_4168.jpegIMG_4171.jpegIMG_4172.jpeg
 
runnach said:
Tony, has the talent improved since your days here?

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Jeez, when we were there it was completely isolated. I recall that we used to park up just off the road from Clermont l’Herault right beside the lake and never saw anybody or any animals there.
A slightly amusing story is that we used to go to another lake nearby (I forget its name) to do some sailing as there was nothing at Salagou and my eldest son, who can now be adopted as a Frenchman because he is fluent in the lingo, asked for a “giblet de sauvage” meaning a “gilet de sauvetage”. No wonder the sailboat renter looked at him funnily!!
 
Some more from dusk tonight Tony, and due to going a tad off piste. Can you stick your geology cap on and explain the red stuff?

Oh, while water is clear, some signs of algae near shoreline at certain spots.


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runnach said:
Some more from dusk tonight Tony, and due to going a tad off piste. Can you stick your geology cap on and explain the red stuff?

Oh, while water is clear, some signs of algae near shoreline at certain spots.


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The red soil is called “Ruffe”. It is Permian age (250 to 300 Million years old) and is an argillite (basically broken up shales) which is made of a combination of clay and iron oxides, which give it its red colour.
(I had to look that up!)
I remember there was a fair bit of green algae round the edges of the lake which we had to wade through to get into the clear water.
Your piccies bring back some lovely memories from more than 30 years back when we used to go there, thankyou.
 
Cheers Tony for the colour explanation. The way it reveals itself as shown in pics is a pretty cool.

Interesting with the algae, is it more potent and toxic now with global warming? I’m pleased my images brought to you, good memories from time gone by.
 
Took some time out and booked a couple nights at Les Vailes campsite, which overlooks Lac Salagou. Site also has an aire @ 9€ per night, which is shut at the moment, but they are allowing MH’s to park at rear of main campsite for same price. Made use of site showers and EHU to charge various devices we use. I have to say, the topography is like a lunar landscape. Some pics from yesterday and today. Real alpine sheepdogs and the shepherd, the small ruined church is in the middle of nowhere.
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Thanks for adding the third set of photos. 👍

I spent a few minutes searching the original two sets to see evidence of the ruined 'Our Lady of Clans' and assumed I hadn't been trying hard enough. 🙂
 
Out on the bikes today to tour other parts of Lac Salagou, headed towards the barrage (dam). And hot today @ 25 in the shade, I was blowing out my derrière on the hill. Various fruit and nut trees growing wild, fig, almonds, walnut and, orange tree, which I guess a homeowner in the past planted by the house.
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25 km cycle today, first to Villeneuvette, to the factory, see Wiki link of this place and historical pedigree.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villeneuvette

Then onto Moureze, another BVF, we only managed to check out the village, and I managed a look around part of the Cirque, as time was marching on. See wiki link below for further details, both spots also provide lovely walks if you wish, the factory approx 4 km, Moureze and it’s Cirque, much more km’s are available, with the latter requiring extra precautions and sound footwear. If you are around this area, both villages are well worth the time for a visit.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourèze

Images to follow……
 
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