That was a cracker!

Felt generally 'off' this morning. Didn't know what to do with myself. Lovely day. Should make the most of it. Pah. Andy is recovering from an unpleasant feverish/coldy spell and said he fancied a walk up to the Cabane des roses after lunch to try and clear the lungs a tad. Ah, now then, thought I, that could be a plan. The idea of testing myself and getting in some hill training up the zig zags to the cabane started to form. It's a gentle(ish) gradient for most of the 4.5kms, starting at 1200m and reaching 1560m and I wanted to see how much of it I could run. We covered the first 750m at a brisk walk to warm up and then I set off at a gentle jog. Things were feeling good, underfoot it was perfect, I kept going. I surprised myself at just how far I was able to keep going without feeling like I was going to die! I covered the 4.5kms with 360m of ascent in 38 minutes. I could probably have pushed myself harder and no doubt will on the next occasion, with the aim of eventually getting below 30 mins. Andy and the pooch also seemed to enjoy the outing which was topped off by a fast, fun run back down which included some gratuitous, corner-cutting 'cross-country' for a change. The mild weather of the past few days has melted the majority of the snow up at 1500m as the photo below shows, but more is forecast overnight tonight

A feeling of Spring - but it's not going to last!

It has been T-shirt weather today as the temperature climbed into the teens and we enjoyed clear blue skies and warm sun. However, the view towards the high mountains late this afternoon suggests more poor weather is imminent!

Rematch (partial)

We needed to head down to Foix to get some more bits and bobs to finish off the kitchen today, so I took the opportunity of being 'over the other side' to have a rematch with the Dalou trail race circuit. I wasn't going to have time to do the full circuit but I wasn't too concerned, as the last 3.5kms includes a 2km steep uphill slog (250m of ascent)! That can wait for another day

It has been grey and dull today, following some overnight rain and the going underfoot was wet and claggy on the higher paths which made for slippery, slow and muddy progress in parts. The two ascents were as hard work as they were back in May when I last did the circuit and I really wasn't feeling inspired or motivated to really push myself today. My lungs seemed to be struggling again, so I must get a programme together to work on improving their efficiency if I am going to make any real progress. A useful outing all the same - sum total, 9kms, 430m of ascent in 1 hr 9 mins.

Explorations

Glorious clear blue skies have been the order of the day today but with temperatures that have struggled to rise above freezing. A stretch of the legs was required so I headed out with the pooch down into the woods opposite the house and followed the familiar but yet indistinct path around the hillside to Echerboul on the other side and then up to the gite d'étape at Liers. It was a beautifully surreal scene as a cloud inversion gradually pushed its way up through the woods, threatening to stifle the weak sunlight as it fought its way through the treesLooking back from the path that would lead me up to Liers, the smouldering cloud inversion in the Massat Valley with the high mountains in the distance provided a stunning vistaThe aim of my jolly jaunt was to try and locate a track that contours the hillside above Liers and eventually winds its way around the slopes beneath Pic de la Journalade with the possibility of providing onward access on skis de rando to Pic des Trois Seigneurs in the right conditions. I didn't know how far I would get, but the peaks looked spectacular with their snowy covering. It was an absolute joy to be out in such beautiful conditions.I located the start of the track without any difficulty but encountered a chasseur there who warned me against continuing much further - I had forgotten it was Sunday! Having taken his words on board, I still decided to press on steadily, as the track was just too tempting and would provide some superb running on compacted but not too icey snow. I was keen to get as close to the high peaks as I could and was thoroughly enjoying the stunning environment.However, I eventually reached a point where I felt it prudent to make an about turn and retrace my tracks. I had already covered just under 10kms with nearly 700m of ascent and was mindful of the need to get back home in one piece! The run back down was great fun and I completed the 'there and back' route in just over 3 hours. Unfortunately, today's weather is not set to last, so I am all the more pleased with having made the most of today's opportunity!

Joyeux Noel!

Merry Christmas everybody! The skies have started to clear here and have revealed a dusting of snow down to 1000m. Very festive :-) We are having pigeon for our Christmas dinner preceded by some oysters. Bon appetit tout le monde!

Hard work

Anybody that runs knows that feeling.... leaden legs, lungs that struggle to inflate, an overwhelming lethargy that threatens to halt you in your stride. Today's 'run' was one of those outings. From the house, up to Col de Caougnous, up the Peguere road, along the route forestiere before eventually picking up the oh so steep descent path which consisted of a mass of fallen leaves on slippery fallen branches and stones which was somewhat treacherous. It may have taken me an inordinately ridiculous time to do the circuit, but hey, I was outdoors, I was being 'active' and I had earned the mince pie (or three) that we made this evening :-)

Fireplace

Aesthetically, the restoration of the fireplace is now completed, although the ceiling hole still requires attention. So here's a piccy! I'm really pleased with how it has turned out.
Andy has today completed the oak corner posts and also the beech kick boards for the kitchen units, which I have treated with linseed oil before they are put into place. The next few days are due to bring more poor weather so more indoor jobs will no doubt be on the agenda.