Sue and Martin's Big Adventure
Day 44 - Tuesday 7 September 2004 - Rest Day in Soldeu
Postcard Summary
Stream
Camp to Soldeu
Short walk to town for a well-earned rest
– 0.4 hours, 2.5 km, 100m ascent
Had a really good lie in then two
breakfasts in bed with reading in between.
Once the tent had dried, we packed up and walked into Soldeu, checking
into the second hotel we tried. The
first, a 4*, rejected us on the feeble excuse of not having a room cleaned
until the evening. It did provide an
excellent sauna and Jacuzzi at their Spa this afternoon, in an attempt to
restore zest into my [Sue’s] legs for the last 10 days’ walking. Not too heavily laden for the next few days
as we should pass through some villages.
Diary Entry (by Sue)
Our first whole
rest day since Luchon, over two weeks ago. Rain in the night made for an
unsettled one, but both alarms were turned off and we didn't brew until 8.30. First
breakfast of bread and 'happy cow' cheese, then an hour's reading before the
second - yoghurt and a peach. This also allowed the sun to enter the valley and
start to dry the tent.
Packed up, and
walked into Soldeu - due to the distance to the campsite (half hour walk,
partly on a busy main road) we'd stay in a hotel. As I fancied a sauna etc, we
tried our luck at the 4-star Spa Hotel. There was surprise that we only wanted
one night, then it was quite obvious they didn't want custom from two
backpackers (we don't even smell today after showers last night), as a room
wouldn't be ready until the evening due to cleaning.
A friendlier
welcome was given by the Hotel Soldeu Maistre, a 3-star just off the main
street, and a room was immediately available. We did some washing and had lunch
(pâté - pheasant, and goats cheese), and I dozed off afterwards. Whilst Martin
looked at the last ten days' route, I had a couple of hours at the spa using
the sauna, Turkish steam room and jacuzzi. I am hoping my tired legs will
benefit. Then, a bit of shopping to re-stock - we don't need too much as there
are villages in the final section and more refuges than wild camps. A bit of
sewing before dinner. A more civilised affair, despite buffet style, in a
sparsely filled restaurant of mostly English.
In bed by 9.30,
watching the US Open tennis, commentated in German, on Eurosport.
Weather today -
quite cloudy but mostly above the mountains. Still breezy.
Stats
and route (Viewranger):
2.5
km, 70 metres ascent, 0.4 hours
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