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Post by johnoakes on Oct 3, 2009 8:14:57 GMT 1
Just back from a holiday in the Pyrennes with my French mates. Don't know a lot about trains but these were busy little things that certainly pulled loads of tourists even in September. I got as much of the rolling stock as I could--there seemed to be 2 races of engines.-one much more powerful than the other. Hope this makes sense to the train buffs.          And just where the train had to stop awaiting the down train we had a bit of true free enterprise. Well worth a shot.LOL--he collected a few biscuits and bread bits and was very popular with the tourists  Fed these in the local zoo--the chubby ones on the right are the marmotts.LOL  Still hoping to get to grenoble to get the tram shots but we have been very busy with the B&B lately.I have not forgotten. |
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Post by calflier on Oct 3, 2009 14:29:29 GMT 1
Nice pics and an interesting place to visit,In reference to your subject title,heres a couple of pics of the highest railway station in Europe,namely the Jungfraujoch in Switzerland.taken about 6 years ago. Arriving through the ice tunnel at over 10,000ft high  and the view from the top,wow!  |
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Post by johnoakes on Oct 3, 2009 18:17:57 GMT 1
;D I suppose that every region's tourist agency will try to claim a title that would encourage business. I only know that to get to this little train we went on a cable car up to 2,000metres and then on to 3,000metres on the train. It was only 1/2 metre gauge and used to carry men and materials up to the high reservoirs but a fair distance over the Haute Pyrennes. It is probably not the highest in Europe but hey so what--how unusual for the French to claim a title to which they have no right.LOL A few views from the top in the heat of September and blue skies with just a slight gathering of mist..    No dramatic glaciers but pleasant to behold.LOL |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2009 8:25:16 GMT 1
;D It is probably not the highest in Europe but hey so what--how unusual for the French to claim a title to which they have no right.LOL Well, I suppose if the Yanks can get away with it, why not the French  It could be that this is actually the highest railway but the Swiss railway is the highest purpose built passenger railway as opposed to industrial. There will be some sort of explanation and no doubt in years to come (if not already) it will give the bureaucrats something to get their teeth into - tape measures at the ready lads ;D Great pictures from both of you. How far is it away from your B&B John? |
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Post by johnoakes on Oct 6, 2009 10:25:01 GMT 1
 sadly a full day's journey by car to the South. Ryannair to Carcasonne would be your best bet but personally I found the Pyrennes a bit too wild and imposing. I really do prefer the more gentle slopes of our foothills    Just too wild --many of the roads just end in blind valleys. Great for walking or pony trekking if you like that sort of thing. Unless you meet one of these--they have been let loose in the Pyrennes-not a good idea if you ask me.LOL  I certainly prefer my wild life to be smaller and in more gentle scenery.LOL   And all this 1 hour from Geneva--easily reachable by Easyjet.LOL
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2009 16:49:38 GMT 1
No point in putting a link to your B&B on this thread but I suppose anyone wanting to stop off on the way could always send you a PM Your right about the brown bear. If they start attacking humans it wont be long before everyone and their dog carries a shot gun to protect themselves. Do you think he smelt your fish John? |
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Post by plevtls on Oct 6, 2009 20:08:55 GMT 1
I know when I drive up to Andorra through Ax Les Thermes there's a lot of anti bear graffiti on the roads, so I don't think the locals are impressed with their new 'arrivals'.
Where is that you went John out of interest?
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Post by johnoakes on Oct 6, 2009 21:53:17 GMT 1
 We stayed at a gite belonging to the sister of our neighbours. All very inbred as it is in France. The nearest town was Argeles Gasost--very pleasant with a truly great local zoo--the animals were really well taken care of and had loads of room to roam. It is not far from Lourdes--destiation of the world's first IT tour (Liverpool to Lourds care of Starways.)- a bit wasted on Protestants like me but we went to see the sights with our friends--one of whom was told to be quiet and more reverent by a guide.LOL They are as much Catholic as I am Protestant ( ie church for baptisms , marriages and funerals)--so no burnings at the stake LOL The wild life was super all round but the mountains seemed to dominate the environment. Hope the photos don't bore too much.  Just to prove I went to the Grotte. More from the zoo    More of the imposing mountains.   Just to top it all the was the Tour d'aigles where we saw the best eagle,owl,vulture etc show finished by a mass of little parrots for the children to feed --all very well cared for and a beautiful show.    Just click on the picture to try the video and let me know if it works--I could put on more in the future if its ok. And yes we did get a fishing session in but we only caught minnows. 
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