Sweaty Drive to a Cool Place

The other day I went to visit a place called Cirque de Navacelles, a large erosional landform, not far from here. There is a free shuttle bus that transports people the last few kilometres down into the valley where the cirque is situated but in my foolishness I decided to drive all the way down till the final parking myself. A decision I regretted instantly after a bend in the road revealed the descent I was to take. But by then it was too late; nowhere to turn around and come back, just a single lane road and a hair-rising drive down. My stomach did a nasty doubleflip backwards as I gripped the steering wheel with my hands and hoped for the best.

The wikipedia describes the road like this:

 Roads in the area are very poorly maintained and are only wide enough for one vehicle. In order to pass the landform, a dangerous, but exhilarating, road which weaves down into the valley and clings to the sheer cliff face on the way back up must be braved.

Exhilarating? Terrifying would be a more exact term, especially if you're driving yourself.

(Picture from google as I was too busy concentrating keeping myself on the road at this point.)

Looks pretty tame from this point of view, doesn't it? The road is at the backround but it doesn't show the most 'exhilarating' point at the start when you are just realising what you have let yourself into.

Finally down, safe and sound, I could take the camera out.

 Not so scary anymore. Being a lovely day and a weekend, the place was crawling with people but there are lot of different walks and a cool, shaded path by the river where you can get some peace.

And here is a lovely, clear river where some brave souls were swimming. I had my swimming suit and an urge to do the same but in the end I decided not to. It was just too cold. I must be getting old and too soft.

Damn it, one time in Scotland I plunged into the sea in February while the ground was still covered in snow! Look, here's the proof.

Yes, it was cold! Very cold.

My friends photographing wanted me to stay in the water a bit longer so they could get good shots but I was of a opinion that they just had to be fast.  Nothing good last forever, you know.