Philip's Blog

Monday, 28th August

Our room in the chalet de Cortalets faced east, and we could see the Med far below in the distance, so we'd decided the night before to rise before dawn and watch the sunrise over the sea. Well worth the discipline as the orange/red orb broke above the distant cloud spot on time to gasps of appreciation from all who'd risen for the spectacle. Mike and Sally had arranged to walk the day with us, while their friends and family took the vehicles the long way round to the end point of the day at the old Mines de Batere. Our path took us past the remnants of an air crash dating back several decades. Mount Canigou used to be feared by pilots for its capacity to interfere with navigational instruments (the mountain contains large reserves of iron ore). Our Auberge at the end of the day used to be the hostel where the iron miners lived, until the mines ceased to be worked in the 1960s I'm told. The auberge now offers wonderful views, the best hot showers of my whole trip and a magnificent supper to boot. And for those not up to walking the mountains, you can reach it by a metalled road.We said goodbye to Mike and Sally, but we'll be meeting them again in a few days.