The Mas Camargue

On a splendid sunny day we headed off in a green Landrover along windy mountain roads to the Mas Camargue Trail. An agricultural estate which prospered in the 17th century and which has a lot to show for it.  There was a Unesco Heritage Farmhouse and Mill carefully restored, which now serves as an accommodation centre for walkers. The whole area is criss crossed with paths for bikers, walkers and donkeys. They carry some of the luggage-(carefully restricted in terms of weight) and lead walkers on their route, knowing it like the back of their hooves. We crossed a stone bridge and the first thing we spotted were nettles with the most amazing iridescent bumble bees, the biggest I had ever seen, having an absolute feast on the nettle flowers. We stopped to gaze at Butterflies mating, crickets jumping out of our paths like a wave behind a boat, strange beetles and red spiders - a wealth of insect life before our very feet. 

The Farmhouse and Mill built with granite and roof tiles of local stone. 

 Bumble Bees buzzing around 

Some of the granite rocks and formations along the sentier. 

Through a beech wood where the carpet of copper coloured leaves scrunched underfoot and the light filtered through the canopy. People still harvest blueberries here. 

We walked along the Tarn river, the water directed to channels that were used to run the mills.  Then onto the hillsides of heather which were a pink and orange hue, standing out against the parched yellow grass of the meadows where the animals grazed in these higher pastures, against the swirls of clouds in the blue sky. 

Our last stop this crystal water pool with icy water, cold enough to take your breath away but so very refreshing after the walk. We picnicked on baguettes and cheese and made our way back to the house via a different route in the mountains stopping to take in the panorama that unfolded below us.