Camp des Ainés, Vers Les Cimes

   In my last blog, I promised to let you know how we spend our time at the camp. Along with some thirty like-minded people, who have become close friends, we have a leisurely breakfast between 830 and nine before a quick prayer meeting and an hour of bible instruction. The organisers choose one of the more talented of the Church`s pasteurs to give the talks each year, so there is usually something new to appreciate. This year, it was Phillipe de Paul, the Pasteur from the church at Orthez who was in the chair. Apart from his knowledge and skill, Phillipe is famous as perhaps the only pasteur in the world to sport a long pigtail! I don`t know if this has a philosophical significance for him and have never dared to ask....
  After the religious side of the day, we proceed to the other main event of the camp--dinner! We eat like kings up there. and it`s only because of the exercise that we don`t become as fat as hogs!
   After a pause for digestion, we set out for the day`s hike. As the Colonie is set high in the mountains, there are many scenic places to walk to, peaks and lakes galore. It`s the most beautiful and impressive place in the world. However, it could also be dangerous if you don`t know what you`re doing, so we are lucky to have experienced guides to lead us and make sure the same number of people return as set out! The weather can change so quickly up there, in a few minutes a cloud can drift across and you are lost in a fog. This year, the weather can only be described as mixed, we did have several fine days for walking but several foggy or rainy days when we had to find other things to do.
  One of these alternatives was a visit to the aquarium at Pierrefitte, an impressive, privately-owned collection of tropical fresh-water and salt-water species. We really enjoyed our visit.

You don`t want to dabble your fingers in HIS tank!

   We did this visit on the worst day of our stay, with heavy rain all day. We later learned, that shortly after our visit, the local river burst its banks, carrying away the car of an elderly couple and drowning the wife. A tragic accident showing how swiftly things can change.

  We took Jilly and Laika with us, as they really enjoy the walks and also benefit from more exercise on local strolls in the area around the Colonie. Luckily, they are used to living in the car and there is a shady spot under a tree to park the car (or kennel!)



After our week in the mountains, we were invited to spend a few days with our friend Arlette and her husband Laurent on their chicken farm near Orthez, but that`s another story for a later Ark.


A Bientot!