Photos - Days 46 - 50 Chalet des Cortalets - Banyuls-sur-Mer ( posted August 23rd )

As we descend from the Canigou we leave the high mountains behind and drop below 500 metres for the first time in many weeks. After so much solitude and clear air we find it difficult to adjust to civilisation ... and Le Perthus with its border shops and tourist tat feels like a re-introduction into modern hell. It's a pleasure to share the final days with our new French friends and sheer delight to meet our younger son Simon who has flown out especially to welcome us. In some ways it's good to reach the sea again but nothing can take away the sheer exhilaration of 8 weeks of magnificent, life-changing experiences.

To see the photos click here. On the Picasa screen click on 'Slideshow' (above the first photo) and the photos will run through. You can also click on 'View map' on the RH side to see where the photos were taken. If you use the Full Screen option you will need to move the cursor to the top of the screen to be able to exit this tab.