Les Grottes de Betharram, France

When you are vacationing in the south west of France and find yourself pondering what to do on a rainy day you won't go wrong choosing to visit these wonderful caves.  They are situated 15 km from Lourdes and 23 km from Pau.  

These grottos are vast, the photos here don't do them justice.  They boast a large variety of formations, and also they were the first caves in the world to have electric lighting installed.  However, they only switch the lights on during visits and flash photography is not encouraged as  this can cause photosynthesis which could result in the growth of lichens.  

There are, I think, 6 levels - only the top level is accessible by wheelchair - but if you are feeling really adventurous you can travel in a boat along the underground river.  

I must thank Erick for these photos - the caves are so immense, his sister kindly pushed me around in a wheelchair while Erick took charge of my camera.   

Col d'Aubisque

Col d'Aubisque is in the Pyrenees mountains with a hotel and cafe at the top.  There are wild horses (which are actually very tame and inquisitive) and cattle with bells round their necks - presumably so the herdsman can find them when the mist (or is it clouds?) comes down so rapidly, literally in minutes.  I would advise when visiting to take both sun hat and coat - the temperature dropped from 24 C to 16 C in the space of about 10 minutes, and the wind can be very sharp, while the sun is baking when it's out.

The display of bicycles are huge - taller than the average man - they are there in honor of the fact that the cyclists in the Tour de France come here as part of the route in their races.  Just below the summit is a ski resort, the drive up was pretty scary I have to say, the roadside hugs a big steep drop - my advice is don't look down!

It was worth the slow scary trek up though - not just for the views but the coffee was pretty good and there is a little souvenir shop as well, and of course the mountain air is so pure.  

Bartres, France

Bartres is a village in south west France about 3 miles from Lourdes.   Bernadette Soubirous (St Bernadette) was sent to live with her wet nurse when she was a baby because the family were too poor to take care of her, then she went back to live there when she was about 13 to take care of her wet nurse's children and the sheep.

The local church is called l'Eglise de Jean de Baptiste, he is the local patron saint.  The grave of her wet nurse is in the churchyard.

It is a pretty little village and I highly recommend you go to the cafe and have a cappuccino and Gateau Basque which is a local speciality, not a cake at all but a rather delicious almond and custard tart.

Hosanna House, Bartres France

Not a day out, but a lovely place to stay; a short walk from a village called Bartres in south-west France when on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.

This was the view of the Pyrenees mountains from my bedroom balcony - Spain is on the other side of the mountains.

HCPT was originally specifically for handicapped children's pilgrimages, but now they take adults as well.  Hosanna House has two wings - St Bernadette and Notre Dame - the staff there provided the meals, and all rooms are 2 or 3 bedded, and of course the whole place is designed especially for disabled people and their carers.

A lovely place, and the views are wonderful as you can see.

From the veranda you can see the Pic de Jer - apparently there is a small railway that goes to the top, or if you are feeling energetic there is a path to walk up.  There is a gigantic cross at the top which is lit up in blue lights at night.

Big Boys Toys

Doesn't matter where you go - just grab your remote control car - in this case a super-duper Traxxas - and find a suitable off-road site and let rip!  :-)