Today was our first day of walking being delayed yesterday by wet weather. We decided to ask Robbie to drop us in Saorge (490m) so we could investigate the hillside town before beginning our walk on the Chemin d'Orneglia to Briel sur Roya. A three hour walk with steep ascents and descents and a rainstorm thrown in.
a sunny morning after some storms overnight. The river still flowing rapidly through La Brigue with the run-off from the rain.
Across from our hotel in the square is a round tower, which is the remnant of Count Lascaris' castle, built in the 14th century.
Fascinating lintels throughout the town, some dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
Robbie drove us down the highway, through Fontan, which borders the main road, and has a Baroque church with stunning frescoes, preserved because the church still has no electricity and just natural light. Unfortunately it was closed yesterday because the overcast day would mean there was not enough light to see the amazing artwork.
We were dropped off high in the mountains at the village of Saorge (490m), built like an amphitheatre on the hillside.
At first on entering the town you walk through a maze of streets.
There are a few crossroads where there are small shops and community services.
A little restaurant to service the tourist trade. We noticed several Gites Rural as we passed through.
Water fountains and washing areas from centuries ago.
Perched high above the town is Franciscan Monastery, founded in 1633 but the last monks left in 1988. The French state now owns the building and is restoring it. The building has now become a writers' centre, where writers on residence can stay in this peaceful space to work on their projects.
The layout of the monsters.
The cloisters with murals of the life of St Francis.
The monks' refectory.
The beautiful gardens, including a large vegetable plot, overlooking the alps.
The view of the town from the monastery. The furthest yellow building on the left is the local primary school. What an outlook!
We started our walk descending from Saorge.
Ancient bridges now inoperable over a well- known swimming hole.
Through the tunnel, 650m, which has made the villages less remote.
Much of the walk today was on uneven, rocky paths.
A river crossing.
A well-earned picnic lunch after a steep climb to the highest point today at 620m.
Suddenly it began to rain which made the rocky sections more slippery.
Our first view of Briel sur Roya down in the valley on the Roya River.
Arriving at our destination, walking by the railway station, renovated in 1979, and considered one of the special attractions in the town. It as used as barracks by German soldiers in 1944-45.
We walked along the River Roya into the centre.
Our hotel, Hotel Roya. A modest hotel the rooms are spacious and the ensuites have a bath!
Dinner at La Flavie, recommended by the manager of the hotel. We were welcomed warmly and encouraged to try some local delicacies, red and white wine, fish, duck, mushroom soup.
Our enthusiastic host, who said that Barnaby Joyce, on government agricultural business, ate at the restaurant recently.
Unlike further up the valley, where the mountains are rocky and less fertile, the slopes up from Briel have many more farms with terraced gardens. The main industry in the area is olive oil production.
We're praying for dry weather for tomorrow!
M&M
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