Tuesday 17th May (Montpellier-le-Vieux)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window to see the early morning 'hand-gliders' drifting from the hill top to the adjacent field. Above, below and alongside the 'human flyers' their feathered friends also enjoyed the warm air.

Soon The Incapacitants were cycling uphill to Montpellier-le Vieux. The first five miles was a gentle climb flattening out onto a plateau where pine tree forests were interspersed with flowering meadows. On this warm calm day butterflies and insects filled the air and the scented smell of flowers wafted along the road. The bird count was low; but that did not matter. Common Whitethroats and Stonechats were spotted and a Hoopoe heard.

Reaching Montpellier The Incapacitants stopped to survey the views and scour the area for birds. Not much was seen. Now the return trip was easy a gentle ride stopping occasionally to look at the Millau Bridge, Rock Buntings, Griffon Vultures and a pair of eagles. These eagles soared and circled over a large area in the three minutes they were visible. Mr. Kite would say that these fast flying impressive birds were Bonelli's Eagles but the view made a positive identification difficult. Whatever a pair of majestic eagles flying around is good enough.

Now this being Tuesday the bar in The Joint was open early; just as The Incapacitants arrived back on site. The aged duo then sampled tipples of Kronenbourg, Kanterbrau and Mormandy Cidre. Cheers from Mr. Kite.