Friday, March 15, 2019

The tunnel

There are five tunnels along the Voie Verte (Greenway) recreational trail. Because it used to be a rail line, viaducts and tunnels were built to keep the slope minimal. When we walked the trail north from our gîte, we came to one of the tunnels, called Taulhac, after about twenty minutes.

Tasha looks for the light at the end of the tunnel. We didn't go far enough to find it.

The tunnel is lit, but when I entered I couldn't see the other end, the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel." Tasha and I walked for a while inside. The tunnel curved around toward the east. When I got to the point where I couldn't see the the entrance, and still couldn't see the exit, I turned us around to head back.

The tunnel is where you see the round "Vous êtes ici" (You are here) marker. Our gîte is where "Le Riou" is marked.
The map is strange because north is down and south is up.

It turns out that the tunnel is 1.1 kilometers long, just under three quarters of a mile. I missed that information when I looked at the sign. It was a little spooky not being able to see either end from inside, and I could tell that Tasha wondered where we were. It was nice to get back out into the sunshine.

Where we entered and exited the tunnel.

8 comments:

  1. Although I prefer walking in sunshine, I would LOVE walking that tunnel. Especially on a rainy day... as long there was no risk of flooding.

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    1. You would love it, Mitchell? It's way too creepy for me. All I can think of is being easy prey. Eww.

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  2. ooo yes I would have turned around too....claustrophobic

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  3. The dog in the tunnel may be the picture of the year

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  4. I hope there are signs in there from time to time as to which way is which! I would hate to get turned around and think I would be coming out at one end and find myself at the other.

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  5. I had a reaction similar to Seine Judeet's. I think a lot of women would react that way, given our conditioning and culture.
    If you wanted to be a terrible prankster, you could arrange to have a distant train whistle sound while someone was walking through ...

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  6. It's a good thing the tunnel is lit.

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  7. mitch, I might have been more daring had I not been alone.

    judy, I don't blame you.

    melinda, it didn't feel at all that way to me, but I understand what you mean.

    travel, thanks!

    sillygirl, I didn't notice any, but the direction the tunnel curves gives it away.

    emm, but there are no tracks!

    evelyn, it's only lit during the day. I guess they don't want people in there at night.

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