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| A to Z Challenge Here |
(In the Pyrenées with our friends..links to their FaceBook page)
In the Pyrenées heading west from Mérens-les-Vals,
is a valley with a small village, St. Bertrand de Comminges, “One of the most
Picturesque villages in France.” (video below...)
On a mountain overlooking this valley, tucked among tall
pines is Murmures des Arbres, a Gites and chambres d’hôtes, and they let rooms year round.
Our dear friends/now family Jean-Paul and Anne Delmas, own Murmures des Arbres (Murmurs Among The Trees) and we try to visit
them every time we go to France. Jean-Paul and my husband have known each other since high school, climbed in the Pyrenées together for over nine years, and they have remained deep friends since my husband moved to the US. His daughter is my husband's goddaughter and became family when she married my cousin! We adore them all.
Jean-Paul is an “Accompagniateur de Montagne,” basically
a licensed mountaineering guide, and Anne is an art therapist who works with children and handles the accommodation side of the business.
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| In the Gite getting ready to go walking with our little one |
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| A view near St. Bertrand de Comminges |
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| The Cathedral in St. Bertrand, a view from our hike |
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| Two friends together again |
Their set up is a perfect combination for
anyone who likes to visit/hike in the mountains. Photos of inside and out of the Gites can be found HERE.
Jean-Paul knows the Pyrenées better than most as he has
grown up climbing them. He’s done high altitude climbing there and all over
the world. He is now in his “retirement,” “limiting” himself to guiding instead
of pushing the boundaries he used to in his younger days. This visit he
introduced us to “BungyPump” walking sticks, which I absolutely love. They are
different from most walking sticks because they have a band inside which makes
them “pump” up and down as you walk, so no jarring your arms. They help with
balance while also giving your arms a workout. Perfect.
If you ever want a getaway up in the Pyrenées
mountains where you will be treated like royalty, check out Murmures des Arbres and be sure to tell
them I sent you…
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| Along the route |
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| Ancient walls built by farmers for their herds and fields-no-longer |
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| Never-ending beauty |
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| Taking a break JP and me |
Missed some of my A to Z 2019 posts? Well look no further...
Oppidum D'Enserune
All photos by Buie-Collard
