Heading on up

Yesterday's roadie circuit was one of the things that I felt I needed to 'tick off' before we move away from this wonderful part of the Ariege and back up to Pissou. Today's outing was another of those things. We have slogged up the hill on the other side of the road from Montsegur (15 mins from us here) a couple of times since we have been here. It is a slog too. But I knew that today, with a clear blue sky, we would finally be able to get the views that eluded us on the past couple of occasions due to poor weather. I also knew that the ridgeline on the top (known as Le Taulat) would provide some great running on the way back down which I was keen to experience. On both counts, it did not disappoint. It was stunning up there, with clear views past the cabane on the ridge to Pic de Saint Barthelemy beyond.

There was Lavelanet way down in the valley below... 

... and the Chateau de Montsegur, where we had parked ....

.. and the Chateau de Roquefixade was also visible on its rocky outcrop in the distance

 But it was the beauty of the hills that I had slogged up there to experience. The Pic de Saint Barthelemy and Pic de Soularac looked quite beautiful in the summer sun

We got as far as the disused quarry where old winching machinery stood idle, a powerful reminder of more industrious days gone by

It was a lovely little outing and has whet my appetite for more such outings up into the mountains once we have returned to Pissou later in the week