07 August 2014
We have been in the Pyrenees for the past few days and have seen such stunning views, driven through amazing little villages, experienced drastic weather changes and eaten a ton of baguettes and croissant’s. I am currently sitting in a parking lot at a downhill skateboarding event at a ski resort in Peyragudes. It’s hard to imagine how all this will be white in a couple of months time. In fact there is still some snow on the surrounding mountains.
We did a long day of driving on the way to the Pyrenees from the Loire Valley (318 miles in 9 hours), where 2 hours was spent on a detour looking for a campsite on a river. We eventually found a spot close to the river (which was really dirty and we only swam once) and ended up spending the night at a little fresh water fishing campsite in Merville and fell asleep to the sound of drunk Frenchman singing in the fishermans pub. Was odd to hear traditional ‘English’ songs been sung in French. When we finally made it to the Pyrenees, we settled into camp 5 km from St Girons (lovely family holiday resort which had a swimming pool, tennis court, restaurant etc.) and started planning a hike for the next morning.
Our 6 hour hike which was 13.5 km long, with a 900 m climb, starting at 600 m above sea level, started in Aulus Les Bains. The hike went past a massive waterfall called Cascade d’Ars and a emerald blue natural lake in the mountains called Etang de Guzet, where we stopped for lunch and a swim. We had planned another shorter hike for the next morning but decided to move on as it was pouring with rain, we were both really stiff from the first hike and wanted to move on to Peyragudes to see Ricky and Brie.
The drive to Peyragudes was awesome! Went along very windy passes following some of the Tour de France route and through some lovely little villages. Spent most of yesterday watching the Time Trials at the skateboarding event and ended the day celebrating Ricky’s result (as he qualified). Slept in our van last night for the first time on the trip, which proved to be very comfy.
2 more days left in the Pyrenees and then we will be making our way to the North Coast of Spain to relax on the beaches and learn some of the Spanish ways!!!