My English guidebook describes this stage as “the first really hard day, best done in fine weather.” Mother Nature had a different idea: rain, mist, thunder in the mountains. I decided to walk the roads in the valley with some French hikers I met yesterday. It was a boring wet walk. Now, in the afternoon, the sun is out. I wonder if I made the best choice.
I didn’t see Vincent today, a very experienced French hiker I met yesterday. I wonder if I’ll see him tomorrow and he’ll tell me it was no problem in the mountains and I missed a great walk.
That’s the problem with choice, you never know how much risk to take, especially with something you haven’t done before. If I knew today’s hike, the ridge walk in particular, I could have made a better decision. I’ll never know, although the lightning was probably best avoided.
St. Étienne is a pretty little town. This is Basque country and the people are proud of it. Traditional architecture and hearty Basque cooking abound.
Leaving the hotel.
The day
Goats sheltering from rain
Morning coffee break with the French hikers (beer for a Frenchman)
Old bridge and small chateau in St. Étienne
Traditional Basque building with stones exposed on the corners
Am loving the pictures and your notes Roy. Thanks for sharing the adventure.
Gorgeous country, Roy, rain or no rain. I love the old bridge and small chateau. Would that not be a charming place to vacation?
Cathrine