Climbing the Grande Roche

Yes…I just figured out why in mountain climbing movies they never show the trek back down. …YIKES!!!!!!!!!They don’t tell you what you have to see on the return trip.
Going up was not that hard when you could concentrate on your step and gate.
I loved the Eiffel tower …going to the top the view etc and the coming down was a breeze. But then you “knew/imagined” you were safe.
And all the gorges,caves, mountain ventures for tourist is put under extreame safety features in the US .One assumes and gets used to this. Climbing this mount was at your own risk. No railings…. not sturdy rocks(some slipped and slide imbedded only in soil as steppes. And one step to the side could be a fast way down.
Veronique was our guide. She ,her husband Christian and their son had dinner and apararatif with us first. I suggested that we do the climb before we had a large dinner and too much wine. But the dinner came first. So …full and tipsy we began the climb.With the confidence of a wild deer Veronique sprinted up the first steps leading to the trail.
I already felt the effects of a sumptuous chicken marinated in olive oil, garlic, and local herbs,newpotatoes loaded with garlic and butter,salmon,cheese,stuffing.fresh bread and of course some of the most exquisite wine……..oh my
Anyways
In spite of a bronchitis I have been fighting off this week and way to much internal luggage we slowly trudged on. As I entered the first steep struggle a bee gets caught in my hair. And of course I am doing the bee dance long before they help me get it out without any of us getting stung..
I take pictures as we ascend each level , careful to make sure I have additional pic for when we get to the top. All I can say is that for this Florida woman, I had forgotton what climbing is all about.
With much determination we followed Veronique to the summit.She encouraged us to walk to the edge but it took about 15 minutes before I could stand to take pictures. It was awesome. Once I got my feet to move I took some pics of the surrounding seascape. Veroniques husband was way over on the beach and he called her on his cell phone. She wave her scarf to motion where we were. He said yes he could see us. I was surprised because I could not see him that far.
There is a deep cave on the side of the mountain that they do not permit anyone to enter.It seems that a small bat lives there that they say it is almost extinct. But according to Veronique ,they allow people to enter once a year. I asked her exactly where was it located. Well she made my heart jump. She leaned over the edge and said over here on the side but it is dangerous to get to. I took her word for it and did not have the courage to look over the side without handrails.
Maybe after I climb this spot several times I may acquire a confidence to look.
I had to chuckle to see a couple in suit and dress walking along the path as if on a Sunday stroll.Yes they must be a regular.
Getting past the minor terror and relaxing into the awe took a bit of time. But once we relaxed into the view it really was awesome. And the thought of how many in the past must have stood in this spot long before the rocks have begun to fall and fold. I wonder what the shape of the structure was then.
On top there is a huge stone with a square hole in it. I need to ask her about that
After many pictures and musing over the beauty we decided it was time to return .Veronique told us the tale of how on the full moon the dragon comes out of the mountain .And that that is a good time to come to the summit. I cannot imagine climbing it in the dark but then maybe.
Well coming back down was very scary . You could see the height and the edge but it was ok if one did not panic. And seeing children running up and down with no fear encouraged us to continue and not call for helicopters.
I do have to admit that we slide down the first 22 feet er so…..on our butt. Then regained our courage and walked as if we had been there before.
Oh and that darn bee found my hair again and got caught in it again. I tried not to do the bee dance and calmly freed him from the tangles..
I am posting the best of the pics. I am not posting the ones that we look like tourists from florida who have never climbed a little mount.
Now to continue the pathworking

“All my life
I took this path
But all along
I walked alone
What can I say
To be here now
What did I think
What did I know
When I am gone
Don’t follow me
Unless you seek
This loneliness
What can I say
To be here now
What did I think
What did I know

From “Prayers of St. Brendan the Journey Home”

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Faint and far
The strains of music
Siren's song
The strength of tomorrow
As seen through the eyes
Of future forms
Never imagined in mind
Or present presence
This faint distant sound:
Startling strains of present past
Movements swift past curious eyes
Meant only to cast witness
To the wave of a hand
The turn of a glance
The urgency of lovers
In furious passion
Pivoting on the point
Of said potential
This form can only guess
Speculate and ponder
The deep held breath
The long sought sigh
The firm embrace
Of long forgotten song
The song
That once created soul