We didn't quite account for all factors in when choosing our parking
spot last night - I think we found the shadiest spot around, as the
beautiful morning sun warmed everything up except for us!! Once we
moved a bit to get the sun, and given the inside of Pat a bit of a
clean we were off down to the little village of Tende to find out what
there was to do round here.
All it took was a walk up the main street where we spied some very
scenic post cards showing off the local mountain landscape - this
obviously worth finding out more about!! The information centre was
able to explain that we had stumbled across Le Mercantour National
Park (once again fantastic organisation from us!!) - encompassing the
last of the Alps before they plunge into the Mediterranean Sea (quote
from the brochure).
A quick visit to the next door museum told us a bit more about the
area - including facts about a large number of Bronze Age carvings
that had been made into the rocks as part of an old religious
sanctuary.
After this we took a circuitous route back to Pat via the 'Medieval
Town' Wow what a discovery, from the road this town almost looks like
a slum. 5 and 6 storey buildings cling haphazardly to the mountainside
and washing is strung from mishmashed balconies. But take a walk
through the 'streets' and it becomes clearer that these are no
temporary dwellings but 400 and 500 year old apartments. Some have
basements carved out of the rock and there are nooks and crannies,
courtyards, gardens or terraces around every corner. And to top it
off (excuse the pun) there is a cemetery perched at the very top of
the town, with the most amazing views. What a way to go.
Finally, after seeming to go halfway (not quite) to Nice to find a gas
station that was open - on a Monday lunchtime?? Then picking up a
couple of German hitchhikers heading up to National Park, we made it
to Casterino for a late lunch, and then headed for the end of the road
and the start of two walks heading in opposite directions - one to
some of the rock carvings, the other up to three lakes. Since it was
after 4pm, the decision was made to not make a decision about which
area to see. Instead we would make a whole day of it tomorrow and see
everything in a big round trip!!
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