A Close Encounter.............!

The village of La Vinzelle is famous for its very large bell, La Campana Bella, but we were here to walk on the Sentier des Buissieres, which starts by the cemetery.   It is a two hour circular walk wending its way around the village with some short ascents and descents.  The prettiest point was high up when the path led through a carpet of purple heather.   The views up here were breathtaking.  At first the village was above us clinging to the hillside and then, as we gained height, we were satisfied to see it below us.

A little over halfway we heard voices and went to investigate.  It was a group of hunters, clad in bright orange, overlooking a field below the path.   We were surprised to see them as it was a main walking path, a Saturday and lunchtime!  The eldest hunter squinted at us and when we asked if it was dangerous for us to carry on along the path he said we should turn back.    We’ve never been good at going back!   We explained we wanted to continue – he looked a bit unsure and then two more walkers hurried by so he had no choice, but to let us carry on.  One of the hunters had a radio and said he would let the other hunters know we were on the path.  As we left, he wished us “bonne chance,” which was slightly disconcerting! 

I’ve never been fast at going downhill, but the risk of getting shot made my legs move more quickly.  I was pleased I was wearing a bright red top.  We could hear the dogs in the woods above us and then suddenly they were behind us.  Reaching a clearing, where we hoped we would be seen, we stood and watched, being sure to make lots of noise.  The hunting dogs had so much character and were surprisingly agile as they made their way over the rocks.  They were completely disinterested in us.  Their tails wagged enthusiastically as they picked up the scent of their prey, a fox which had rushed passed us in a blur a few minutes earlier.  We knew that the hunters were looking for sanglier (wild boar) not foxes.  Looking up I could see a lone hunter perched on an outcrop of rock like a bright orange sentinel.  As we shouted he spotted us and indicated with a wave of his gun that it was safe for us to continue.  

La Vinzelle

The rest of the walk passed uneventfully, thank goodness.  We arrived back at the village and went up to look at the famous bell.  A sign politely asks visitors to refrain from ringing the bell, although it was very tempting! 

Close by, the Auberge du Peyral (open April to September) was doing a roaring trade and we managed to get the last table.  We sat on the airy terrace tucking into delicious salads and sipping cold rose wine as the River Lot sparkled in the sunlight far below.

Auberge du Peyral

The start of the Sentier du Peyral a short circular walk - we did this too!