Day 29 Navarrenx
Saturday 15th October and let us start with a picture of the Pyrenees that are now a fairly constant feature. Today is clear with some sun so I see some of the definition though mostly its light and shade.
My room mate last night tricked me by asking if 7:00am was OK. Sounded fine as an alarm call for 7:30am breakfast though he had in mind a 7:00am breakfast. Anyway, the forced early start let me get some sunrise photos of heavy industry down in the valley.
Apart from an abbey there wasn't much out of the ordinary today; I passed the camping couple I have seen on and off this last week.
I was confused last night as my daily distances just feel much shorter and it dawned on me that after 4 weeks of walking I have found my walking fitness.
Arriving early at today's town I feel like an ice cream and there is an excellent ice cream parlour. Trouble is, at 12:45 they are in the process of closing. That's France. There's a Carrefour express for a lazy picnic lunch in the park watching the men (and one young woman) play boules.
The gite is excellent, close to the supermarket, bed linen and towel provided and - best of all - a laundry basket for those dusty trail clothes.
Now I have a song to sing on these closing days.
Just bring out the lions. I guess this is an amphitheatre.
Mid-October and I have walked far enough south that the forecast for the rest of my walk is high twenties and sunshine.
I mentioned opening hours earlier and if only they did ice cream vending. Judging by the age of this machine bread vending isn't new.
It is fair enough for ballooning and calm as the sun sinks in the west.