Skip to main content

le Puy de Dome volcanic area

Day 19   Fri 2.8.19
Left our and its over crowded wash block.  
We were up and out early to catch the mountain rack-driven train to le Puy de Dome, an extinct volcano!  We tried booking on line to save 10%, but it was such a palaver that in the end we just turned up early and caught the train up to the top.  
15 Bucks each.  Well, 14 for me, as I’m old now.  
A spectacular 20 minute ride to the top.  A glorious day so the scenery was superb.  It was worth every penny.  

Le Puy de Dome (1500 metres)
It was possible to walk up, but it would have taken about 2 hours.  The train was the clear winner!  
"Life is like a mountain railway"

At the top there was a temple to Mercury, which had been re-sited from somewhere else.  Also a telecoms setup that took my attention (obviously).  




And there were scores of people queueing up to do paragliding, from the top.  It was great up there.  One guy didn't make it at the first attempt.  Check the video out below!
He was taking someone on a tandem jump, 80 Euros a go, but the failed the first time.
I could almost hear my dear old friend Derek Sav say,
"If at first you don't succeed, .......
......then skydiving is not for you"!!

 
We were up there for 3 hours.  
Took our drive to Limoges.  
Aixe sur Vienne to be precise and a municipal campsite there for 2 nights. Large spacious pitches, in the shade!  And cheap.
Phew!     

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gorges du Tarn

Day 18  1.8.19 Gorges du Tarn!  Wow! After leaving our van step-up behind on the campsite, we drove from Les Vignes up the Gorges du Tarn to St Enimie. Gorges du Tarn What a splendidly spectacular ride it was!  At one point the road went under an overhanging rock which had a viewing platform jutting out even further into the gorge!  Marvellous! We stopped at St Enimie for lunch. Tried to park in the area reserved for “BUS”, but immediately got moved on by the local gendarme.  The other campers who were there before also got the wrath of the gendarmerie! We parked slightly out of town, and went in search of lunch.  The main cafes were on the street overlooking the gorge, so we looked behind at smaller places.  A good idea, because we got the most amazing lunch at a very reasonable price.  It was more than ample, and we tucked in. Waddling back to the van was a bit of a struggle but we made it, and then headed for Ispanac before ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Oradour sur Glane

Day 20    Sat 3.8.19 One reason for coming this way was to see Oradour sur Glane.   The German Nazi SS came through the town, ransacked it, and annihilated 642 inhabitants on 10 June 1944.  That was just 4 days after the D-Day landings. Oradour sur Glane The French have left the town un-restored, as a tribute and reminder for future generations.    Oradour sur Glane It was harrowing reading the story of what happened.   Buildings have been left derelict, with machinery and cars left abandoned, to emphasise what happened that day.   Sure, some it it was placed very well, for maximum effect.   But still it was an atrocity that should not be forgotten.   It was a moving experience to visit the town. One of the most poignant things was to see a recovered trumpet valve section on display in the museum part.   Other articles too, were on display to give one a sense of the pointlessness of it all. H...
Post a Comment
Read more