Far from it, but thanks Mick for your help with this post.

As our time in this location is drawing to an end – a matter of days only, we decided to go for a final walk down the Gorge de Saint Jaume and enjoy our morning tea near the Notre Dame de Laval. We have undertaken this walk a few times now, but today provided a few surprises.

At first we thought it was a big black hairy dog that was dead on the path, but a closer look showed it to be a wild boar (un sanglier). We assumed it had been wounded by a hunter and able to wander off before it died. Strangely there were not masses of flies or insects around it, even though it looked like it died quite a few days ago.

I’ve mentioned before about the need to be careful when walking in some parts of France, and certainly in this current location around Fenouillet. Three days per week – Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday – hunters and their dogs are out after the boar, and they mean business. Anyone walking on those days should make sure they have something bright on so the hunters can see you (Mick was wearing his very bright top to ensure we were safe).

We have been told you can eat wild boar. We have never seen it in supermarkets, but if you know a hunter or if you ask the local supermarket to order you in some, you can buy it. Actually tomorrow we are going to try some (or Mick is), because two of our French friends who live in Fenouillet are coming for a final meal with us (before we leave) and they are bringing a pâte de sanglier.

Wild boar are a real problem in France, and over the last few years, despite the hunters working 3 days per week, the numbers are increasing. One article I read put the number at over two million, even after more than 700,000 were culled in a recent 12 month period. The reasons for the increase were given as climate change and (weirdly) because hunters are feeding them. Mick reckons that is because the hunters like to eat them.

Boar are dangerous, not only because of their size and their tusks, but because of the diseases they can carry. As recently as last month, France announced a major cull along the Belgium border following confirmation of two cases of African swine fever in Belgium about 1km from the border.  This could pose a huge risk to the pig industry in France; while the virus is harmless to animals, it can kill the pigs.

Another surprise was a sighting of a black squirrel. Or so we thought. It certainly was a very dark colour and was very quick – hence no photo of the little thing. Apparently though, there is no such thing as a black squirrel in France, they are all Red Squirrels, but some can have very dark colours, particularly if it is their winter coat.

Walking back up the Gorge we were again impressed by the beautiful bridge we cross each time we drive up to our house.

There seemed to be more water rushing down the Gorge today and this was evident by the waterfall beneath the bridge.

We are definitely going to miss this place.