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Hello everyone, this is a personal message to all fatihful readers : thank you !
In this final day of our lives, I thought it would be fitting to share pictures taken at the Pic do Bugarach a few months ago, on vacation (some of these are pretty documentary and not artistic. You’ll have to excuse me, there’s no time to go back).
Corbières vineyards near Maury
It’s easy to see how the area got it’s reputation with the more mystically inclined, as you drive past the baren vineyards of the Corbieres, through menacing mineral gorges …
Galamus Gorges near Bugarach
… and into a dark, almost sinister forest to finally end up in this otherworldly scene, so serene, so green (in summer) and so pastoral.
Valley of Bugarach
Climbing the peak is an easy afternoon stroll for anyone vaguely in form. That’s in warm weather, mind you. I have vivid memories of a winter ascencion with packed ice on the Northern slopes and fierce Tramontane (the local – and insane – wind) combining to make the brass monkey temperatures the least of my worries. Still, in late spring, before the crowds come in and the heat waves hit, the walk through very pretty woodlands is as enjoyable as any out there.
Climbing Bugarach, easy
And again
Walking through Bugarach’s woodland
But soon, after the sunday picnic have been left behind, the mountain begins to reveal itself, getting more and more mysterious with every step :
Magick Fileds
It is said that an internal cave vast enough to hold a city can be entered if you find the correct stone.
Magick Stones of Bugarach
Finally, no doubt is possible. Magical inscriptions abound …
Magical stone carvings in Bugarach
and magickal offerings hang from trees and sprout from the ground. My camera could not record them !!
As you progress towards the top, the trees become prettier and prettier. Gladly would Galadriel live here.
A pretty tree on the way to Bugarach’s summit
Until finally the enchanted forest ends and the mountain’s true purpose is revealed. Markings in the landscape are no longer for humans only. 4 short bars and 4 long bars, classic intergalactic landing instructions !
Bugarach landing strip
The view from here spans 360° incompassing the French-Spanich Pyrennees and the lovely counties of Aude and Ariège.
Near the peak of Bugarach
And
Craggy Bugarach
It’s a lovely place and a fitting scene for the end of the World. A good choice by Mayan prophets. And defintely a place to visit next time you’re in the South of France (if we’re all still there tomorrow, of course :))
I leave you with another interesting site : a local wine, left out to mature for years in the summer heat and winter frost. Also a very worthwhile detour if you’re close to Perpignan (Maury)
Vin de Maury (on the way to Bugarach)
Happy End of The World from all of us at DearSusanS 🙂
See you soon, I hope 😉
Note to gearheads : all pictures taken with a Sony NEX-5n camera and various lenses (mainly Zeiss Biogon 25mm f/2.8)