I’m always in two minds about not having internet connection when I’m away. In many respects it is really very nice indeed to be somewhere where you can’t be contacted or nobody really knows where you are. It’s also a bit frustrating when you want to keep your blog up to date! So, I’m home now and it’s time to start sharing my travels.

Only 10kms away from the campsite sits the charming old market town of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise. It has a medieval and Renaissance quarter and is almost exclusively built of the black lava stone, so typical of this region. It was really lovely to wander around the narrow lanes and also to see the tourists returning. As much as I abhor crowds (it certainly wasn’t crowded), it was nice to see shops and cafes open again and to see people enjoying themselves.

The old town gate and belfry

Place Gayme

Place Gayme

After a bit of shopping and filling up with petrol (rather expensive in this region, even for the supermarket)! I took a little drive around.

General view over the countryside

Then just as I was coming back to the campsite I had a good view of the Château de Murol, founded in the 12th century and built on a basalt outcrop.

Yes, those tiny blobs of white on the mountains is snow!

Throughout its history the castle has been a residence, a prison, a bandits’ hideout and finally a stone quarry! Thankfully it is now listed as a Historic Building and is protected.

I was hoping that the weather would pick up a bit, but at least it didn’t rain and we managed some nice walks. It certainly wasn’t typical July weather, even taking into account being in the mountains and being at some altitude. There’s always another day.

A Bientot!