Beautiful day today again, clear blue skies, temps in low 20s, very still, so we headed up to the Col de Port (1250m), 15 mins up the road from Pissou and walked in the direction of the Pic de la Journalade (1945m) 
via the Pic d'Estibat (1663m). The latter was our first destination back in early June and is a climb of over 400m from the Col de Port and a distance of 1.5km approx. Back then, it practically finished us off but today it was a mere hill! We then covered good ground along the high pastures where the horses, sheep and cows were grazing (back on the lead for Taff!) and reached the foot of the Pic de la Journalade in 1 hr 35 mins, a distance of around only 5kms but which included 600m of ascent. 
We quickly realised that the rough, steep section ahead of us would be difficult for the dog and, more importantly, difficult to descend, so we reluctantly decided to run back down to the Pic d'Estibat and the Col de Port. Another important factor was that we were running low on water for Taff and there were no streams or other water sources in sight, so it was the right decision. 
It is worth mentioning that the views from 1800m were amazing, with Mont Valier and other Pyreneean peaks in the distance. The tranquillity reminded us why we have chosen to call this part of France our home. The run back was very steep in parts and tested the knees and quads but they stood up to the test well and we arrived back at the car 2 hrs 40 mins after leaving it - Taff was tired - it was his longest outing with us yet. But our next outing will be longer, up to one of the higher level 'etangs' that we have within a short drive of Pissou. Can't wait.
via the Pic d'Estibat (1663m). The latter was our first destination back in early June and is a climb of over 400m from the Col de Port and a distance of 1.5km approx. Back then, it practically finished us off but today it was a mere hill! We then covered good ground along the high pastures where the horses, sheep and cows were grazing (back on the lead for Taff!) and reached the foot of the Pic de la Journalade in 1 hr 35 mins, a distance of around only 5kms but which included 600m of ascent. 
We quickly realised that the rough, steep section ahead of us would be difficult for the dog and, more importantly, difficult to descend, so we reluctantly decided to run back down to the Pic d'Estibat and the Col de Port. Another important factor was that we were running low on water for Taff and there were no streams or other water sources in sight, so it was the right decision. 
It is worth mentioning that the views from 1800m were amazing, with Mont Valier and other Pyreneean peaks in the distance. The tranquillity reminded us why we have chosen to call this part of France our home. The run back was very steep in parts and tested the knees and quads but they stood up to the test well and we arrived back at the car 2 hrs 40 mins after leaving it - Taff was tired - it was his longest outing with us yet. But our next outing will be longer, up to one of the higher level 'etangs' that we have within a short drive of Pissou. Can't wait.
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