For a walk in the hills to stretch the legs, we don’t have to put more effort in than stepping out our front door, which is one of the reasons we love this spot so much.

On a fine day last week, with nothing else planned, I phoned a friend in the neighbouring village and agreed to pop up for coffee – on foot. At 35 minutes according to Google map instructions, and at a gentle climb on good country roads, it’s hardly an effort.

In my case it took more like an hour though as I kept getting distracted by views and aspects of interest along the way.

Leaving Laval, the views across open fields to the hills are glorious, and I am reminded what a tranquil spot we have found in this village.

Ustream along the St Bertrand, reminders of the recent floods are everywhere. This house looks like it would be in an idyllic spot, but given what we know about the flood risk, I’m not sure how they got planning permission. Maybe that’s why it’s now abandoned. Project, anyone?

After a short flat stretch, the road turns up to St Julia, on a gently winding road through open pasture, with magnificent views. I just love this valley and this particular stretch of road. The hamlet perched on the brow of the hill with views of the mountains looks isolated, but spectacular.

St Julia itself is a delightful little village, with a feature I have not seen elsewhere – a road with a roof! I thought maybe it used to be a covered market area, but apparently they demolished the house that was once here, to create a new road directly through the village rather than up over the hill and down a narrow lane on the other side. Why they kept the roof I don’t know, but it makes for an interesting attraction.

This is definitely a stroll I will take again, on a fine morning. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the views, and I am fortunate to now know a few people in the village, on whom I can call for a coffee as an excuse to make the trip.