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the Degree Confluence Project
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France : Occitanie

1.9 km (1.2 miles) N of Lapalme, Aude, Occitanie, France
Approx. altitude: 103 m (337 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 43°S 177°W

Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: the rotors at the confluence #3: my closest approach by car #4: the rotors seen from the closest point of approach #5: the vineyard near Sigean #6: strong wind in the area makes confluencing unpleasant #7: the grapes are not yet ripe in July #8: the "Motel Occitan" at Limoux

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  43°N 3°E (visit #2) (incomplete) 

#1: Etang de la Palme saltponds and lagoon

(visited by Captain Peter)

13-Jul-2004 -- After my visit at 44N 4E a four hours later I arrived near 43N 3E, between Sigean and Port-la-Nouvelle in the area of the Etang de la Palme saltponds and lagoon.

From the motorway exit i saw already the wind rotors, of which I knew from the previous visitors' narrative that they are standing just on the confluence. Unfortunately the narrative was not too helpful. The visitors mentions a path they took first but then abandoned, took another difficult way and found out the original path to be the correct one. Well, but WHICH path? There are so many of them.

I did the same as the previous visitors: circle around the confluence, which indeed does not bring you too close to the point. Then I arrived again at Sigean, where the road to Port la Nouvelle begins. From this position I saw the rotors clearly again.

I stood in a vineyard and could picture the "difficult" track the former visitors followed.

I decided not to try further, as I was alone, it was already quite late and the major reason was the very strong wind. I hope the picture of the grasses bent in the wind gives a proper impression.

The grapes are far from being ripe, yet. They will be good for harvesting in September.

So I left this area. After a 120 km drive towards West I finally arrived at Limoux, where I had overnight in the very cosy "Motel Occitan". Having a look on the cars parked in front of the rooms and when seeing the 4-wheeler of my neighbors, I thought full of mlenacholy that the people who are not confluenceing do drive 4-wheelers and pickups and vehicles like that, and I, being so badly in need of one, do have only a sports-car being absolutely unfit for offroad driving.


 All pictures
#1: Etang de la Palme saltponds and lagoon
#2: the rotors at the confluence
#3: my closest approach by car
#4: the rotors seen from the closest point of approach
#5: the vineyard near Sigean
#6: strong wind in the area makes confluencing unpleasant
#7: the grapes are not yet ripe in July
#8: the "Motel Occitan" at Limoux
ALL: All pictures on one page