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France Calais to Normandy

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France Creuse to Correze

France Correze to Aveyron

France Aveyron to Haute Provence

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ENGLISH CHANNEL TO MEDITERRANEAN

France - Aveyron to Haute Provence

SEVENTH SECTION 4 APRIL to 16 MAY 2012. Severac le Chateau (Aveyron) TO Grasse (Haute Provence) by GR6, 620, 97, 9 & 4. - 507Km = 317miles.

This is an exceptional stretch taking in mountains, rivers, plains and many rocky paths. Great walking and the spring flowers were sensational.

We started in icy wind and hail showers at Severac le Chateau where we had left off in November and made our way up onto the Causse Sauveterre to Le Massegros and along the rim of the Gorges du Tarn to Le Roziers at the foot of the Gorges. The views into the Gorges were dramatic with Egyptan Vultures soaring above. We soptted their nest on a ledge on a high cliff. We observed them for quite some time before pressing on to the Causse Mejean and past the stone-age barrow at Aven Armand and open moorland in cold wind to drop down to Meyrueis. This was the entrance to the Cevennes mountain range where we followed wide ridge paths up into snow and mist to our highest point, Col de la Caumette 1485m, just below Mt Aigoual before dropping via Col de l'Aigoual way back down to the l'Herault valley and back up again to the 950m ridge at Bonperrier. From the 'draille' transhumance, or sheep route, along the ridge were wonderful views to the Alps and Mt Ventoux to the east, the snowy mountains of the Massif Centrale and to the south the sparkling Mediterranean. A truly lovely ridge walk with such views all around in clear, cold conditions. Then a long stony track down and down to the pretty mountain village, Colognac. Terrific cafe/restaurant with rooms here where we were very comfortable and ate wonderful Cevennes cuisine - soup, lamb, cheeses with the lightest creme caramel ever.

We now left the mountains via Anduze to the River Gardon d'Anduze to Vezenobres, very pretty hill town. Appalling pollution of the river by uncontrolled rubbish flytipping. Cross-country stretch to off the GR through extensive vineyards to visit the highly recommended Uzes. A pretty hill town but, given the wonderful towns and villages we passed through, probably not worth the detour. Next southwards to cross the truly memorable Pont du Gard - definitely worth a visit. 2000 year huge roman aqueduct still in good repair - nicely maintained tourist spot.

Warmer now and a strong head wind made it uncomfortable walking to cross the Rhone at Beaucaire and to the Alpilles at Les Baux de Provence. Two days along the ridge of the hills and its southern hinterland were lovely wild walking through scrubland. From here we crossed the A7 and the Durance River to the Luberon Mountains. Crossed the 1000m ridge from the lovely town Cucuron to Cereste and then due east along the ridge to Manosque. This is a very pretty town with a lively old centre with, on the early Saturday morning, multiple small squares with many stalls selling local produce. We continued further east towards the Gorges du Verdon and through extensive lavender fields via the tourist town, Moustiers, set into the Verdon cliffs at the lower end of the Gorges. A steep slow climb behind the town took us through the cliffs onto the plateau. We passed by the Gorges route which we had read is closed at the moment and we did not fancy the edginess of the route anyway. We had good views of the ridge along the way and were deafened by the constant roar of motorbike engines touring the Gorges roads. After the claustrophobic town of Castellane we entered the Alpes Maritime and went up again to over 1000m to Soleilhas, St Auban and the curiously decayed resort, Thorenc. By now it was pretty hot but the height gave us lovely clear air and views to the snow-covered high alps to the north-east. At Greolieres we discovered a different weather zone of clouds hugging the tops and cool air all the way to Grasse across the most glorious Plateau de Calern full of flowers.

EIGHTH SECTION 15 to 20 OCTOBER 2012. Grasse (Haute Provence) to Italy by GR51 & 510. - 96Km = 60miles.

Through Chateuneuf-Grasse and along the Aqueduc du Foulon high above the Gorges du Loup in and out of tunnels and balconies - a spectacular walk with wonderful views and needing torches to negotiate the tunnels. From Courmes we climbed to the causses along wide clear paths before descending along a murky river valley to the cliffs above St Jeannet and down a well constructed mule track zig-zagging down and through suburbs to cross the River Var. From Contes a steep climb took us to Berres-les-Alpes through hillsides full of rosemary, juniper and thyme. Big climbs now - from l'Escarene at 340m to Cime du Farguet at 1045m. Afetr Sospel it was a gentle R Bevera stroll before climbing to the Italian border above Olivetta.

DISTANCE FROM ENGLISH CHANNEL (LA MANCHE) – 2183Km = 1365miles