helenclayton

helenclayton, 22 hours ago to random

Moutons!!!

There was also a griffon vulture circling 😳.

#SheepOfMastodon

helenclayton, 1 day ago to random

This swallowtail #butterfly was a beauty. I hope it found safe refuge from the storm.

purplepadma, 1 day ago to random

Feeling a little blue… probably just exhaustion from a run of sleep-lite nights. Hope I fare better tonight

helenclayton, 1 day ago to random

Had a bit of a ‘sound of music’ moment in this wildflower meadow. In beautiful sunshine we watched the thunderstorms roll over the Pyrenees where we would have been walking today, pleased that we’d changed our plans…

Then got caught in the middle of our own thunderstorm! Running hell-for-leather through another meadow feeling very exposed as the storm was right on top of us. We got absolutely soaked to the skin. The paths down the hills were running like small rivers. Quite exhilarating though!

helenclayton, 2 days ago to random

The Scarce Swallowtail #butterfly …not so scarce it seems.

helenclayton, 2 days ago to random

The early birds get into the chateau before the ticket office opens 😁.

We had Lastours to ourselves which was fantastic. Very glad we postponed our walk in the Pyrenees as some naughty looking clouds over in that direction. It’s possible that they even had snow ❄️.

A photo taken from a high viewpoint over three ruined castle towers on a high rocky ridge above densely wooded hills and valleys. Not visible in the photo are the swifts that flash through the sky at eye level. The castle is golden in the sun but the sky beyond is thick with cloud, barely any spots of blue. In the far distance a dark grey line marks the Pyrenees mountains which are themselves blanketed in low cloud.

helenclayton, 3 days ago to random

From yesterday’s walk the biggest moth EVER! Ok the biggest moth in Europe maybe…the giant peacock moth. Difficult to get a clear photo without disturbing it - hand in one photo for scale!

#moth

The same moth but side-on and partially obscured by grass. One of its long feathery antennae is revealed.
Photo of the same moth with a hand behind it for scale. Its wingspan must be about 15-20 centimetres.

helenclayton, 3 days ago to Birds

We had big rains today and I needed a rest, but after a lazy morning and a leisurely lunch the rain let up…so we had a local bimble…and saw bee-eaters!

#birds

A photo of the same bee-eaters on a wire. The one nearest the camera is poised to take off in flight, wings outstretched.

helenclayton, 3 days ago to Cats

The owners of our gîte feed the local stray cats and are working to trap and neuter them, but there’s still a way to go…

#Kittens #Cats

purplepadma, 4 days ago to random

Afternoon! Been too busy to tweet meeting up with my auntie, uncle and cousin who are in west Wales on holiday. Not seen them in person for over a decade! Tired from peopling now. How’s everyone’s day going? The sun has just come out here

helenclayton, 4 days ago to random

A couple more photos from yesterday’s walk near Minerve. What they can’t show is the wonderful scent of thyme, honeysuckle and broom flowers.

#walking #occitanie

Photo of a wide track through garrigue landscape on a high plateau above the gorge. The ground is carpeted in wild flowers, mostly blue with a scattering of yellow and pink. Scrub and small trees line the sides. The sky above is cloudy.
Photo of a rocky footpath gently descending the side of a gorge. Small trees, shrubs and flowers grow up between the rocks. A footpath waymark is painted on a pillar-like rock on the right - red and white parallel lines and a yellow line indicating different routes. The minervois hills ahead in the distance. The sky is cloudy.
Photo of a view over a valley on the opposite side of Minerve to the first photo. It is spanned by high stone bridge with rounded arches. In the top left of the frame the side of the castle tower is visible. The houses clustered on the promontory between the two rivers have terracotta roofs sloping over cream stone walls. The valley is green with vegetation and hills stretch into the distance. The clouds have cleared revealing blue sky.

helenclayton, 5 days ago to random

#SilentSunday

helenclayton, 7 days ago to random

Just a frog, sitting on its lily pad.

#frogs

helenclayton, 7 days ago to Trains

So we made it to Montpellier. The #train journey couldn’t have been smoother or faster. It was lovely to see the landscape change as we sped down through France - pasture and woodland giving way to lavender fields and vineyards, with a backdrop of the snow-topped alps.

Once here we had a lovely meal in the old town while swifts screamed overhead. Will do a spot of sightseeing tomorrow before we head on to Carcassonne for the main part of our trip.

purplepadma, 7 days ago to random

Mood much improved by a sunny drive to the garden centre. Now wearing my new Hawaiian pattern jumpsuit and pink sandals, and drinking 0% spiced rum and ginger ale on the patio. Feeling very summery!

Catlynn, 9 days ago to random

Haha oh my goodness, they’re so cute. I had almost forgotten about these guys but it’s very nice to have them around again. Itty bitty oak titmouse.

purplepadma, 9 days ago to random

I feel terrible. I’ve held it together up until now but I’m very tearful missing Miss Cinnamon

purplepadma, 9 days ago to random

Morning. Miss Cinnamon didn’t come home last night. Tom slept downstairs to listen out for her, but nothing. I’m very anxious.

helenclayton, 9 days ago to random

Oof, just finished packing for my travels tomorrow. Two and a half whole weeks off!

purplepadma, 9 days ago to random

My mood has rallied now, but I haven’t been so up and down in one day for many weeks. It’s quite exhausting and scary but right this moment I feel peaceful. No need to cook tonight - we’re still quite full from lunch so we’re just going to have some cheese and crackers and fruit