7 Août

7 Août
Vicdessos a Sorgeat
About 70 km via
Col de Marmare, 1361 m
Col de Chioula, 1431 m
Total ascent: 1499 m
A rough morning, rain spattering the tent, was set right when Stephane courageously introduced himself to me. Before long we were telling travel stories, laughing together, finally conscripting his three children and their friends for a photo that became a tutorial for Alex in counting to 100. A happy time, indeed.
Nice to start with a downhill run. Made the detour to La Grotte de Niaux, second only to Lascaux for the quality of the Neolithic Cave Art (and you get to see the real works, not reproductions). Sadly for moi, all tours were booked. Must return sometime with a booking in hand. Got to see the outside, though!
At the bottom of the hill, in Tarascon-sur-Ariège, it was a confluence of bands. Lively music from every quarter of downtown, singing and dancing in the streets. Time for a toe tapping cafè au lait!
Picked up Le Route des Corniches at Bompas. Quiet road, slightest of slopes, brought me to Lordat and Les Aigles du Château de Lordat (www.aigles-chateau-lordat.com). Spent a good long while communing with the raptors in the ruins.
From Lordat, an incremental grade leads first to Col de Marmare, then onto Col de Chioula. Compared to previous Cols, these hardly qualify.
Met Joe at the summit, an Irishman living in Amsterdam, working as a carpenter, currently touring from Barcelona back home, via the Alps. Hmmmmmmm. Got my mind spinning with another tour....
Descended perfectly banked corners into Sorgeat, where I have camped for two nights. Perched at 1100 m, overlooking the spacious Vallee de l'Ariège.