Camping Les Prades is in the valley of the Tarn. It is surrounded by steep valley slopes of sharp rocks and outcrops. It is peaceful and quiet although I am told that this will not last! The area is very popular with the French and this means two things.

Firstly, that the campsite that is quite large will get overrun by many campers and others so that will generate noise. The site is ideal for any people who like water borne fun. Canoes and kayaks are available on the river. They also have a rather nice swimming pool which, as long as the sun is shining, lies beautifully under the cliffs of the Gorge. There is even a sauna, which may be required after a long days physical activity!

Secondly, opposite the site, but on the other side of the river is a road. It's not so much a "main" road as the only road into the gorges. This means, we are told that it will fill with traffic, destroy the reasons why people come here (peaceful, quiet, few people) and make a lot of noise! Happily we are here before all of that begins. Today being Sunday, however, and with the sky blu and some heat and sunshine motorbikes in particular were out in force. Racing through the twisting roads of the gorge seems to be an attarctive proposition for some reason.

After yesterdays grey dullness we decied to get out for a cycle ride. Only 4 kilometers to the nearest habitation the site told us, but forget to mention the slopes! Maybe to them it isn't important.

Anyway we made it and Le Rozier turns out to be a pretty, but odd village in some ways. It sits under the steep sides of the gorge and offers a sort of touristy series of outlets. At the same time it almost appears like a frontier town, a bit wild. Nevertheless it does have a bank, so we now have some cash, and hotels and ordinary shops. meryl bought some local produce, including cheese and biscuits.

In the meantime I set off to explore the Gorge du Jonte, a sort of off shoot of the Tarn (actually a tributary which joins the Tarn at Le Rozier). The road headed up the gorge along the river according to the map. As I left the village, however, the road turned uphill and two miles later it reached a sort of summit eg it levelled out. The views were amazing. The road then headed downhill for at least another two miles but I deceided that that was enough! However, I now had to retrach my route meaning a two mile climb back up to the summit!

The sauna when I eventaully made it back to the camp was ma welcome relief!

Finally check out the photographs to see why we seem to like this area,