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News Articles
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Latest News
The Ski Season Starts 29th November
The ski runs and lifts at Tourmalet, La Mongie and Barèges are being prepared for the opening of the ski season. The snowfall over the last few days have meant that piste bashing could begin, the snow canons are also being utilised to guarantee a great start to the season.
It is envisaged that the ski season will commence on Saturday November 29, 2008.
Skiing - Domaine de Tourmalet 
Les dernières chutes de neige ont permis aux équipes techniques de damer certaines pistes.
Dans la nuit de mardi à mercredi, la production de neige de culture a aussi débuté.
La date d’ouverture de la station est toujours prévue le samedi 29 novembre 2008.
New Ryanair ski flight to Lourdes
Ryanair have announced a new winter flight from Stanstead, London to Lourdes commencing the 20th December 2008. The flight is aimed at skiers and will allow easier access to La Mongie and other ski resorts in the Pyréenes. The spring/summer charter flights to Lourdes have always been popular with pilgrimes. Our bed and breakfast is situated about 20 minutes drive from Lourdes and we provide airport collecting and drop-off. La Mongie is 15 minutes drive from our house, it's not far but as the roads are mountainous it takes a bit longer. The resort ski bus stops 5 mins. walk from our village.
The Pope visited Lourdes
13 - 15 September 2008
The Pope came to Lourdes to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Apparitions. The visit took place from Saturday 13 to Monday 15 September.
150th Anniversary of the Apparitions
This year is the 150 anniversary of the apparitions. Five million people visit Lourdes in the Hautes Pyrenees each year, it is one of the most significant religious shrines in Europe. Pilgrims visit seeking miracle cures for ailments and disabilities. Our French bed and breakfast (Pyrénées Chambre d'hote) is 14 miles from Lourdes (approximately 30 minutes by car).
The history of Lourdes is based on the story of a 14-year-old girl, Bernadette Soubirous, who in 1858 saw a series of visions of the Virgin Mary. If you would like to know more of the history of Lourdes visit:
The architecture around the area of the grotto is wonderful with churches and shrines of various ages. The original Basilica du Rosaire is too small for the number of visitors received, the addition of a massive underground church that holds 20,000 has solved the problem.
Other News
Le Tour de France
13th July 2008
Le Tour de France passed though not once but twice!! On Sunday 13th July Le Tour passed through our village of Gerde in the Hautes Pyrenees to finish stage nine at Bagneres de Bigorre. It was very exciting with a brilliant atmosphere, the caravan was particularly spectacular with lots of fun floats. On Monday 14th July (Bastille Day) Le Tour passed this way again on the way to Tourmalet (stage ten). We were fully booked for the event and also had family staying in a tent in the garden!! There were lots of activities for the full week in Bagneres with music, fairs and lots to see and do.
The first July after we had purchased our house (2004) I was here in Gerde on holiday when Le Tour de France took place, in fact the participants cycled past the bottom of the road out of our village. I remember there were lots of people with picnic tables sitting along the main road to La Mongie but I had absolutely no idea why!! Oh what a difference four years makes!! This year I knew the route, the date and where the stages finish ing in Bagneres de Bigorre. This year was a first for us because although I have been here in the past for the Tour, Steve hasn't, he has always been working, unfortunate considering he is the cyclist. Not only was Steve here but he cycled up to La Mongie to see the tour pass. Photos of the event below;
On the 14th July we also celebrated Bastille Day, see the next column -->
A snicky-snacky snook for Cyclists!
Towpath Trailmix
by AshleyTownsend
Preparation time: 5 mins
Cooking time: Nil
1 small packet unsalted peanuts
1 small packet chocolate chips
2 of handfuls of raisins
2 handfuls crunchy granola cereal
2 handfuls broken banana chips
1 handful chopped dried apricots / dried fruit
1 handful chopped almonds or pine nuts
Packet of Smarties (optional!)
1. Mix all together or
throw into a bag
and shake
vigorously.
2. Can split into
smaller bags for
several trips.
“Nutritious, easy to make, and eatable en-route with minimum wobbling as bag can fit in jacket pocket. Handy to deter hissing swans or wild dogs –
just throw into canal to distract the attacker! ”
Taken from; www.spokes.org.uk
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