have found an hour, thanks to the one aussie, two dutch and three romanians helping out at ours at the moment. the sheep and goats have gone on a long walk, the mangers are being constructed, the garden has been transformed and dinner has been cooked! so here i am. thought i could dedicate a blog to explaining the video i have downloaded. the DESCENT DU COL takes place every year, first weekend i think of november. the only rule, i believe is that no engines are allowed, and car's have been banned - they were too dangerous careening down the hill. so, early on the morning of the big day about a hundred entries turn up and begin the long trudge up the hill, blagging lifts if possible, ready for the midday kickoff, when everyone begins the slow and often painful ride down about five kilometers of pyrenneen foothill. with flour flying, eggs bouncing, (sawdust was not a good idea!), false starts and screaming people, excited children with their own contraptions, seasonal floats, and crazy undertakings, this is a day not to be missed in the aude calendar. more photos can be found on ryan's photo album on facebook, linked on my website... in the evening there is often music and dancing to be had at the maillols centre - see their website for the DESCENT DU COL if your french can handle it!