Col d’Agnel day 2.
The drive to the parking just below the summit of the Col was one of pure joy, no cyclists, no motor bikes, no cars, we had the road to ourselves, we sat and enjoyed the early dawn light touching the crests of distant mountains.
![3x2.jpg (474.7 KiB) Viewed 984 times Col d’Agne](./files/thumb_14634_5517f8ae014b9b541237790e9a50a649)
- Col d’Agne
Forgoing the traditional “ petite déjeuner française” we opted for a hearty British fry up, I then ventured out, but quickly returned to my home on wheels, a cold wind was blowing up the valley, it lowered the temperature considerably, shivering I had to resort to my fleece jacket, there was little sun, not at all promising. I made a brief foray out across the hill mid morning with little expectations and quickly beat a retreat to the van again shivering with cold.What to do ?
It continued cold, a short hailstorm came and quickly passed, a few very determined cyclists passed by, I remembered my days on the bike, I wished one who was visibly struggling “courage” he appreciated my friendly gesture.
After lunch I debated whether to leave but as a little sun was showing I decided on a last foray, the few ringlets seen rushed off, they had business elsewhere,never the easiest of butterflies, I stubbornly persisted, it paid off, I found a blue ,Eros Blue ? I do hope so, it will be another first,
![JUL_1402 3x2 Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros).jpg (497.68 KiB) Viewed 984 times Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros).](./files/thumb_14634_9ee9e6dcac31bf264b481f53eb92caf3)
- Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros).
![JUL_1399 3x2 Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros).jpg (598.49 KiB) Viewed 984 times Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros).jpg](./files/thumb_14634_cf6e6916af87f5b705f1854886896264)
- Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros).jpg
![JUL_1403 3x2 Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros).jpg (498.72 KiB) Viewed 984 times Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros).jpg](./files/thumb_14634_7fbc1b7f4971dac23dcfc40790f52ac3)
- Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros).jpg
soon after a motionless Fritillary, a Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea) ? perched on a yellow flower, I guess they were all cold, they gave me ample time for photos, it cheered me up.
![JUL_1504 Col d'Agnel, 2620 3x2.jpg (552.44 KiB) Viewed 984 times Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea)](./files/thumb_14634_0a1e3fb1dab59c212c7e6eb173a21aee)
- Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea)
![JUL_1477 Col d'Agnel, 2620 3x2.jpg (588.03 KiB) Viewed 984 times Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea)](./files/thumb_14634_d13f5bce3bb4ce48ede7ddae076249fb)
- Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea)
![JUL_1434 3x2 Col d'Agnel.jpg (504.21 KiB) Viewed 984 times Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea)](./files/thumb_14634_219ab55c9f7b38cc8adc9d610224e3e7)
- Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea)
Now more confident in French trafics management technology we returned along our now familiar mountain road to Camping Gouret.
Tomorrow I have planned a return to l’Echalp that we had previously visited in 2017.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com
Picture of the day.
![JUL_1510 6x4.jpg (2.19 MiB) Viewed 984 times Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea)](./files/thumb_14634_07fc46bce01825abb8c44b8501f33729)
- Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea)