Pyrenees

[basquesteve]

Yesterday a quick walk in the woods




I m not sure if this allowed or not, click on this link to my panorama Yesterday at the end of a walk Pic de Anie is on the right looking east towards Pic Midi in the far distance

Pyrenees 1 - Photosynth

[paul m]

I don't know about others but my computer blocked this - presumably because it's trying to install a .com file. I'll have another try later, sounds great ...

Originally Posted by basquesteve

.........
I m not sure if this allowed or not, click on this link to my panorama Yesterday at the end of a walk Pic de Anie is on the right looking east towards Pic Midi in the far distance

Pyrenees 1 - Photosynth

[goosey]

Originally Posted by paul m

I don't know about others but my computer blocked this - presumably because it's trying to install a .com file. I'll have another try later, sounds great ...

I had no problems Paul, it is worth another try - it is a great way to view a view!

[basquesteve]

Sorry you may be having dificulties in following my link here is another I am still experimenting with this completely free software

basquesteve's Photosynths - Photosynth

[goosey]

These are great Steve - you lucky lucky thing you! What a place to live.

I tried to do something like this (not like this at all really just standing in one spot and turning 360 deg so I could line up all my photos if I ever got them developed) at Catlerigg stone circle (near Keswick, Lake District UK) and capture all the mountains which surround it but got in a right confused state trying to line things up and take images fron the same height which you wouldn't have thought would have bee too difficult

Well done Steve - you are much better than me!

[basquesteve]

Hi Shirley

It is not difficult down load Microsoft Image Composite Editor, Microsoft ICE. It is free just Google it, and follow the instructions I don't use a tripod like you go, I turn around in a circle and nearly fall over, it takes about 10 minutes on your computer automatically, thank goodness because I am an idiot, my line is less than 1 megabit and up loading doesn't take to long

Tell us how you get on, for me its the only way to capture the massive scenes

Steve

[basquesteve]

The Basques love hot chili peppers. Espelette is world famous for its A.O.C. Piment, last weekend they had their annual fete. the town at this time of the year is well decked out with peppers drying on the outside of their houses.
A pity it rained

[goosey]

That's quite something!
Do you do this too?

[basquesteve]

My best effort

[basquesteve]

We have quite a few Roman remains close by in the vicinity of St Jean-le -Vieux is the remains of a military camp and baths. On the Spanish border at 1419metres or 4671feet is the remains of La Tour D Urkulu




Translated its the vestige of a Roman Triumph tower which marks the frontier of Gaul and Spain in commemoration with out doubt of the passage of the mountains via the Roman road of Roncevaux and a victorious achievement by Rome controlling by war the Aquitaines and north eastern Hispanics 25 years B.C







It is still 3 metres high and 20metres in diameter

[basquesteve]

A couple of views

[paul m]

Well worth a little stroll for the views!

Changing the subject a little. How much does the weather vary from north to south sides of the Pyrenees? I've only made small incursions into the foothills, mostly from the French side. I've always been led to believe that the northern edge was wetter, cloudier than the southern, Spanish side. I can't say that I've noticed much difference on my travels: bright and sunny one day, wet and cool the next! However, I have watched the Tour de France (in comfort somewhere) and last year was the first time I've seen a beautiful sunny landscape on the Col du Tourmalet, or most of the other high mountain cols for that matter! Is this the nature of them: 90% wet and windy?

[paul m]

We spent a week or two in the (Spanish) Basque Country (Guernica, Bera, Irun &c) and enjoyed the food very much but none of it showed much evidence of chllies. Were we eating at places where tourists are wrapped in cotton wall or were they just hoarding the peppers for themselves?

Originally Posted by basquesteve

The Basques love hot chili peppers. Espelette is world famous for its A.O.C. Piment, last weekend they had their annual fete. the town at this time of the year is well decked out with peppers drying on the outside of their houses.
A pity it rained

[basquesteve]

Hi Paul

The difference in the French/Spanish side is amazing partly due to the Spanish side being much higher, much dryer and hotter on the Spanish side. I often spend a Winter break in the Algarve 10 hour drive Going through the tunnel Col de Sompour French side its blizzards and snow Spanish side warm and sunny During the summer the mountains are normally sunny we are further south than the French Mediterranean and subject to warm winds from the Atlantic mind you when it rains it pours French call us P*sspot of France



The Basques are keeping the piment to them selves try La Piperade, or Bakalao al pil pil.

[paul m]

Originally Posted by basquesteve

......... try La Piperade, or Bakalao al pil pil.

Ha, I have tried piperade, indeed, have made it .... or something like it; recipes in my hands are rather casually treated and eventually evolve into something totally different. The last time I made 'piperade', someone said it was really ratatouille omelette!

However, I do remember the original recipe so have looked it up and, indeed. along with the sweet peppers and tomatoes is ½ piment d'espellette! Later, in the notes, it suggests using 'a pinch of sweet paprika, because your chances of buying the pimente d'espelette in this country are pretty remote'.....

I know what to buy the next time I'm in the area!
Thanks, Paul

[basquesteve]

Dont buy it here in France, over the border the same product from France is half the price. Same for the local beer made just down the road!