All living things get hunted in the areas around Béarn and the Pyrenees Mountains - pigeons, deer, boar. There is a hunting season for them all!So watch out for men with guns when you are out walking!Especially if you are a (or should I say the...) wild bear. The French Pyrenees were once full of them. But they have been hunted close to extinction. In November 2004 the last indigenous female brown bear in the French Pyrenees was shot 'in self defence' by chasseurs. Her 18 month old cub has been orphaned (aaaahhh!).In this instance, the hunter in question may end up in jail.I have nothing particular against hunting - there are plenty of wild boar and thousands of palombes to go around. But hunters need to have resposibility to protect endangered species, not use them for target practise!!
Lacq~ Reflet du torches
by aaaarrgh
The multinational gas & oil company, Elf, have a large gas field at Lacq, between Pau and Orthez. There is a pipeline running to the coast at Bayonne.Hold your nose as you drive through the area. Sometimes the smell can be particularly strong. I have no idea how the local population put up with it!! But the gas fields provide thousandsof jobs to the area so I guess they think it is a price worth paying.At night the area is lit up by the gas flares. There is a nice wayside restaurant just off the main highway, called 'Reflet du Torches' for obvious reasons :-)
Beware of your fellow VT-ers
by Mique
When traveling with fellow VT-ers by car, make sure you're not sitting closest to the gasoline tank. Before you know it, you can be designated as the person that has to get out everytime, fill up the car with gas and head for the counter to pay the bill.... If you don't believe me.. ask Patrick..
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