Re: [pyrnet] Fw: Re: CHAT: map of farms in Pyrenees Mtns.

[JGentzel@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/7/01 7:14:40 PM Eastern Standard Time, bamb@monmouth.com writes:


> "  This is the region that produces the
> sheep cheese,
> & we discovered on our many visits to the Pyrenees that it was
> particularly
> this area that we saw the working Pyrs.  


Brebis (sheep), Vache (Cow) and Chevre (Goat) Cheese are produced in these regions.  Some have dogs and some have Pyrs. It is probably not going to be what you have conjured up in your mind.  Transhumance is the practice of the sheep going to the mountain pastures every spring and return to the lover villages in the fall.  It is a very ancient practice that still occurs some, by a group of farmers sharing the service of the Shepherd et all.  Not sure it would be very easy or wanted to drive up to where they are located and they move a lot I am told.  So what you see is small farmers with a few acres with a few Sheep, Goats, Cows, milking them and making cheese.  Some have dogs as I said above.  

Benoit Cockenpot works his dogs routinely.  He lives high on the mountain and it is a soul refreshing sight to see his dogs out working on the mountain side with the snow capped Pyr peaks near by.  I would recommend this at least.  Otherwise you might drive around and see little.  I do recommend the Brebis cheese thought, but It is all good in France.  Benoit makes the best Chevre you will ever eat, so if you visit him, get him to sell you some.

It would all be fun and you just have to maybe not see exactly what you mind has conjured up as an image.  

Good luck hunting and let us know how it goes.  

Joe