Pyrenees HRP - 2004 - Day 22

Sue and Martin's Big Adventure

 

Day 22 - Monday 16 August 2004 - Rest Day in Gavarnie

Postcard Summary 

Campsite with view all day. Classic rest day. Julie arrives with lots of luggage

Our well earned second rest day was really that!  Washing was done by 9.30 – the walking pole washing line worked well for a change.  It was a lovely sunny day so we enjoyed a nice picnic with fresh French bread and, later, beers in the shade when it became unbearably hot by the tent.  Julie and a huge amount of luggage disgorged from a bus around 6pm, and we had another nice meal out.

 

 

Diary Entry (by Sue)

Second rest day in 3 weeks - hoorah! During the night, some rain, lightning and thunder, but a dry, clear morning.

 

By 9.30 all washing was done, made difficult due to the availability of cold water only. A successful washing line was constructed, then improved by adjusting its direction, so the washing was at 90 degrees to the sun.

 

The morning soon passed in the vicinity of the tent. The supermarket provided a filling lunch of baguette, goats cheese, pâté de foie and tomatoes, then a repeat visit restocked the larder for the next couple of days.

 

Julie is due after 6, so this gives time for postcards, reading etc. This is a great place to spend a day - from our camping 'terrace', we look down on Gavarnie in one direction, and have the Cirque in the other direction.

 

Through the binoculars, occasional glimpses of people on the ridge before Le Taillon can be seen. A yellowhammer visits to eat bread crumbs during lunch. Below, a continual trail of people and mules proceeds up and down to view the Cirque from closer quarters.

 

Over a beer, I finish 'The Life and Times of Michael K', that I've had to ration before sleep each night, as it could be read in a single sitting. Good recommendation, thanks Helen! It has now been posted back in the hope that Julie is bringing another book.

 

We doze/write postcards by the tent, which is still almost too hot compared with the shade under the trees by the café. Soon, time to walk to meet Julie's bus, which arrives on time at 6.10 pm. We get her settled at the campsite and return to eat at the same restaurant as last night. Another very nice meal. As we find out way back to the tents in the dark at 10 ish, flashes of lightning can be seen. This is the precursor for a long storm overnight.

 

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