We're on our way. The donkey track rises steadily - later it gets steeper. Notice the red and white tape, warning us that part of the track has fallen down the hillside. Don't go too near the edge! The Mairie intends restoring this ancient track which is great news.You can see the individual steps going up the track, although some have sunk a little over the centuries. In the old days, this track was the only way in and out of the village of Gorbio, with absolutely everything carried on the backs of the donkeys.
In the last photo, you see one of the many wooden signs you'll find throughout the Alpes-Maritimes. These signs for walkers are very helpful.
Update on Mama Mia and Mistral on Postcards today.
petit chemin , qui me rappelle mes promenades avec mon grand-père dans le Lot.
ReplyDeleteI love this. Like Olivier, it is nostalgic for me. I used to live in Corconne, in the Gard.
ReplyDeletepourquoi ce sourire lorsque tu nous présente le chemin des ânes ?
ReplyDeletewhy we smile when you present the path of donkeys?
Jilly, not sure that you have ever posted about this, but would you care to share with us your reasons for choosing Gorbio? I gather you have lived in the States, the UK, Queensland and Tassie. Why Gorbio?
ReplyDeleteJilly, your donkey path could be the twin of mine. How funny! I"m looking forward to seeing the continuation..
ReplyDeleteNot much room there to get past. I love the rocks that make up the path.
ReplyDeleteLooked like a fun place to go donkeying. :) Are there still many donkeys using this track?
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming route we are taking. Maybe I'll forget it's uphill!
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This is so cool. I've really enjoyed the anticipation of joining this trail -- and these signs are awesome. Makes me interested in doing a hike there one day. :)
ReplyDeleteC'est un beau "petit chemin qui sent la noisette" (tu connais cette chanson?)
ReplyDeleteI love it! You tell so many wonderful stories with your photos. Looking forward to the next part of the journey. :)
ReplyDeleteA reminder of what we have missed with super highways and backroads.
ReplyDeletePoor donkeys. I guess they didn't need any extra work-out at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteIt looks a bit loose under foot! Looking forward to more :)
ReplyDeleteJust catching up with your posts, Jilly, as I am wont to do. Enjoying the hike so far! I'll be interested to hear your answer to Julie's question. My guess might be it's the beauty of the place, but I want to hear all the reasons you care to share with us.
ReplyDeleteWill be our fift years in a row spending the entire June's month in Menton. We went once in Gorbio with the little bus.
ReplyDeleteYou bet we will go back to Gorbio again by the bus, but come back without it by this "ancien chemin de Menton"...only 7.2 kilometres !
See by yourself by using the following url (or click on Luc's name on top of this message):
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=gorbio+france&daddr=menton+france&hl=fr&geocode=&mra=ls&dirflg=w&sll=43.77705,7.47539&sspn=0.037556,0.109863&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=13
Luc & Carole, Montréal, Quebec
Julie & Petrea - the long answer would take a novel - the short answer is I came to the French Riviera to take a particular job (at the time I'd lived in the Pyrenees-Orientales for 1 year, after coming back to Europe from Australia) - and my job was in Roquebrune-cap-Martin. After 7 years in RCM I looked to buy a house and that meant looking all around the Menton area for a place that would allow me to run a dog business and eventually, after a year's searching I found this house below Gorbio - that's over 10 years ago now. The house found me, not that I particularly looked in Gorbio - but I'm more than happy I ended up here!
ReplyDeleteAlice, no donkeys these days but occasionally a horse or pony. There are donkeys above the village.
ReplyDeleteAnd Marie, no I don't know that chanson. I will look it up!
Luc, that's a good idea to take the bus and walk back!
It's good to know, Jilly. Someday I'd love to walk the donkey trail with you and hear the novel version!
ReplyDeletePetrea, I'd love that too! Who knows what life will bring. A visit from you would be a delight.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jilly. It is a winding snail-tail that thou has coming behind you. Would you consider a spring/summer shot of Tumbledown, please? It is very photogenic ...
ReplyDeleteJulie, will do although it's possible it'll hidden by trees on the donkey track in Spring and summer. Will try.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is who would not want to live here.
ReplyDeleteOK, this is us and we're walking, we're walking....and I'm loving your tour, Jilly! Like Petrea, I'm catching up. Somehow missed a chunk of your fine posts, so I've been back to the beginning of this walk and now I'm off the next step up.
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