In reply to Jamie Hageman:
> Wow, that's very fast! I'd love to go back to the Pyrenees. I'm a little worried about the resurgence of bears though. Am I being silly or is it a real danger? It's not something I want to be worrying about.
I wouldn't worry about it though there is a certain frisson when you're walking through thick maquis on your own, picking myrtilles and all is quiet. People very rarely see them, but that's a lot more than 25 years ago when no-on ever saw one. There was face to face charge in, iirc, Val d'Aran a couple of years ago and recently a hunter in Ariege was attacked. He got badly bitten but he shot the bear. There isn't anywhere I wouldn't go but there are some places where I'd make a bit more noise. I've met a couple of people carrying pepper spray, something I've never considered.