Our last day and it snowed!

We were more than happy to join Matt & Sacha in the pod to the slopes. It was weekend so no lesson for Sach and a later get-up!

But before then a meal out with these two...

...and Mr Manga-man!

My choice was not for vegetarians!

Our friend Les loved this one. Proof that she has bad habits!!

Next day up in the pod to the ski slopes.

It was a winter wonderland

To the right you can spot the end of the airport-type moving walkway to take sledgers back up the hill

Tine showing off her sartorial elegance before we headed for the pod back down to town

Does she look the part?

Arrival at Cauterets

Last drinks at La Commerce (our 'local' for the week) and look how we were welcomed on leaving!

Mainly the Sacha Show!

 Again some stolen photos/video from Matt.

Look at those eyes! The worst part of the week for Sacha was getting up at 7am each day to get to his lesson on the slopes

OK, he's getting into the spirit more now...

...looking like a professional skier.

His skills are improving. I like the tumble at the end!

Back at the studio apartment, we're watching out for the boys (rosé to hand, of course)

And there they are...

...heading down from the pods.

In the afternoon we ventured into the heights again for Sacha to have a better sledge-run.

There was hardly anyone else about...

...but I bet this snow tractor has a few stories to tell.

You never tire of the snowscapes...

...but here's one tired Sacha after making a giant snowball.

Up in the mountains

Of course Matt & Sacha were in the Pyrenees for snow activities so I'll cheekily share some of Matt's photos/videos with you.

Here's one of the two of them in the pod...

...and one of Sacha's first skiing efforts.

Whilst Sacha was having his lesson Matt took the lift even higher

Ready...

...steady...

...go!

In the afternoon we all drove half-way up the mountain to a sledging spot for Sacha

I think he found it a bit tame...

...but we enjoyed the wintery scenes.

Sacha enjoying a bit of jumping in the snow

On the drive back down we stopped to admire la Cascade du Cerisey, a favourite artists' spot it would seem (http://cascades.loucrup65.fr/cerisey.htm).

Stay in the Pyrenees (3)

Although my knee is definitely doing better I still struggle with slopes but I managed a short climb above Cauterets one morning.

Les Thermes de Cauterets (thermal baths) with the omnipresent church Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption in the background

Higher up the zig-zag footpath we came across older thermal baths, Pauze-Vieux, closed in the 70s and now abandoned...

...but there's a wonderful view of the town, the previous weekend's snow more or less gone.

Evidence that when it snows, it snows! Many homes had similar boards at their entrances.

Walking back into town there's still snow on the mountains...

...and an old lavoir (wash house), complete with a few fish!

We took a look inside the church and found this nativity scene made of stones.

Aubretia looking impressive on a wall...

...and hellebore, hanging its head.

Not sure what plant this is but I'm sure someone will come to the rescue!

Stay in the Pyrenees (2)

Next morning we awoke to perfect weather with an early alarm-call for Matt & Sacha to get the ski lift up to the slopes. It gave us the perfect opportunity to explore Cauterets.

The town hall with its backdrop of snow-capped mountains and perfect blue sky.

This impressive building is the cinema…

…on the same square as an old ski lift entrance.

We ventured a little further up the valley…

…before heading back, discovering this quirky apartment building…

…and another view of the town…

…and a mountain stream bubbling down to the main valley.

Stay in the Pyrenees (1)

Matt asked us if we’d like to join him and Sacha in Cauterets in the western Pyrenees. How could we refuse?

They drove down two days before us and Matt sent a couple of taster photos…

…including one taken from the studio apartment. You can just make out the ski-lift station opposite.

Now it was our turn, with a very dramatic view before we started the climb to Cauterets.

View from the studio window, the ski-pods passing every few seconds in the daytime.

A dusk view looking up the mountains…

…and similar shot in the daytime.

Of course we had to force ourselves to go out for a couple of drinks before settling down to a bite to eat and a few games of Skyjo.

The original embarcadère (jetty)

Well the first jetty that we knew! Back to 2008 this time, just a few months after we moved to La Tranche.

7th January and work has started

Next day demolition is well on its way...

...with big waves to help.

Tine even grabs a souvenir (not sure where that ended up)!

It's now 9th January and the grabber's still grabbing...

...soon to replaced by surfers as the tide gets in the way.

Back to work next day...

...and there's only the end of the jetty left...

...but there's still much clearing up to be done.

14th January and it looks like your faithful blogger is standing in front of an oil rig

By 23rd January a foggy view...

......there are just the ferry landing platforms left.

Each high tide the surfers are back!