Thursday 19th May (Underneath the Arches)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a tree with a Robin sitting and joining into the 'dawn chorus'. It was just after daybreak and the sun was slowly rising in the sky.

After a lazy morning it was a trip 'underneath the arches', designed by Norman Foster, to a few villages to watch birds. Common Buzzards flew in the sky, Orioles sang from the top of trees and Yellow-legged Gulls loitered around the Tarn looking for food.

Bird-watching was 'put on hold' whilst The Incapacitants inspected the Millau Bridge; and very impressive it was towering above the 'resting bird-watchers'. A Kestrel glided around the top of the structure. So Mr. Kite can now say that he has driven over the bridge, cycled under the bridge and walked around the bridge.

Having seen the remarkable bridge from all positions it was time to continue the gentle ride towards Peyre; an attractive village on the banks of the Tarn. Overhead Chough and Jackdaws chattered whilst Black Redstarts and Pied Wagtails sat on the building built into the cliffs.

Continuing the trip to Compregnac Grey Herons and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers were seen and Black Kites circled above. Now in Compregnac Golden Orioles could be heard near the river so The Incapacitants sat for an hour scouring the tree tops for these elusive yellow and black birds. None were spotted so by late afternoon they returned to Millau to enjoy a few tipples of Kanterbrau.

Cheers from 'underneath the arches'.