The Maquis

I have just finished reading, Love and War in the Pyrenees by Rosemary Bailey, the story of French resistance in these parts. Today I decided to undertake a serious walk up to the Pic de Cogollo. It was in this area that the Henri Barbusse section of the Francs-Tireurs et Partisans de France hid out and operated. Their most famous action was the defence of the local village of Valmanya allowing all but four of the villagers to escape and avoid the terrible retribution of Oradour-sur -Glane. Valmanya was razed to the ground and four of the Maquis lost their lives including the leader Julian Panchot who was horribly tortured before being shot. The village was subsequently awarded the Croix de Guerre.
The walk was tiring, nearly 3000 feet of ascent and although I set out early, it was hot by the time I returned five and a half hours later. It was a remote walk so Mrs TT had to be primed as to exactly which paths I intended to take, in case of accident. As it happened, I saw nobody all morning. At the Pic is an unusual post box with cards and a comments book. The collection service is voluntary and only takes place as and when someone fancies climbing up and making a collection!