Rocamadour

Last week's posting was about the Barbary Macaques at Rocamadour, Lot.  This week I'm covering the rest of my day in the commune.

Before I left La Forêt des Singes I took some images of the Château looking across the curve in the gorge.

The monkeys didn't have the woodland to themselves.

Chaffinch

He seemed to be outsinging the local Nightingale (that I couldn't see).

This reserve is a little distance from the plateau immediately above Rocamadour and I left the car park there and drove to another car park near the Château.

The Château

From there I started the long walk down the pilgrims' trail towards the main street.  The first section of the downward path zigzags down the cliffside past all the Stations of the Cross that are in ascending order from the church below.

When you reach the level of the church there are other buildings.

Looking down from the level of the church

Buildings and walkways at church level

From here onwards the way is paved and further descent is via steep stone flights of stairs.

Just one more short flight of stairs

Street level at last

After a quick look around I started back for the top.  For my return trip I took the (vertical) lift to church level (2€) and then the ascenseur incliné  from that level to the top (2.50€).  I considered it was well worth the money.


Once at the top, it was time for lunch at a favoured eating-spot.  Unlike on my last visit, which was a complete wash-out, the weather was very considerate to me and it rained heavily whilst I was inside the restaurant.  I was a relatively early diner so I was settled in just before the hordes arrived to avoid the rain!  By the time I'd eaten the rain had stopped.

I had a brief rest in the car and listened to some music until it was time for Le Rocher des Aigles to open.

I've tried for action shots there on occasions in the past, but never had much luck.  The conditions and arrangements are not very convenient.  During the flying displays, the birds have very steep approach paths and it's difficult to catch them.  The atmosphere is quite intimate and you don't have the benefits of distance or much room to swing a big lens.  I confined myself to static shots.  (Well, I did try one or two in-flights sequences, but threw them all away!)

Griffon Vulture

Hello !

Shade

When's lunch?

He went that way!

Grumpy?

(note the nictating membrane)

Bald Eagle

African Fish Eagle

Common Buzzard

After the flying displays some of the birds are introduced to the audience.  The staff make it all quite educational for the children.  UK visitors must often be amazed at what seems a relaxed approach to 'Health & Safety'.

Regardez le birdie !

Unfortunately, I didn't take note of what the bird was, but I think it's a South American species of hawk.


When it was time to leave, the sky was already black again.  I reached the car before the next downfall and headed back to my base at Brive-la-Gaillarde.