We were all aware that the final day was a long walk with five climbs and an overall descent of well over 5,000 feet, so we set off at a racing pace with Sharon in front. Pacemakers changed from time to time, but we maintained a cracking speed and enjoyed
Mike Shrimpton rejoined us at Las Illas for the last two days of walking. With the two German lads we are now ten! The walk was tedious, around 25km, much of it on tracks and little-used roads. But the reward at the end of a long day was the Chalet de
Breakfasted on five different types of honey. The gite owners are renowned throughout the area for their honeys and sell them daily at local markets. Set off for the dramatic Roche de France, a craggy peak on the French/Spanish border. On the way we stumbled
Yesterday's walk went horribly wrong in the afternoon. We missed the signs and ended up map reading our way through dense woodland to the hamlet where our gite was. Only it wasn't. The hamlet was the postal address, the gite was another hour away. We
There are 7 of us walking now: we've met up with some hardy Brits who are camping at nights by the refuges: David, Sharon and nephew Christian -- good companions on the mountains with lots of experience and some amazing tales of places David and Sharon
Our room in the chalet de Cortalets faced east, and we could see the Med far below in the distance, so we'd decided the night before to rise before dawn and watch the sunrise over the sea. Well worth the discipline as the orange/red orb broke above
Walked around western traverse of Pic du Canigou with Patrick, Angus and brother Tony (he's my brother, not a monk!), and found one of the best picnic spots in the pyrenees with a view to die for. After a day of perfect weather and arguably the best panoramic
Son-in-law Jon's last day. A big climb to a refuge in the shadow of the mystical Catalan mountain, Pic du Canigou. Hot sunshine made the walk a little harder. Stopped in the little hamlet of Py for a coffee but it was lukewarm. The village shop had fewer
An easier day but, with a 2,000 feet descent, Jon began to suffer badly from blisters so, to cheer him up, we had lunch at an Auberge when we arrived in Mantet after five hours of walking. Our gîte at Mantet was luxurious compared with last night's and
Patrick has rejoined me for the final nine days - he'll have walked 19 days with me by the time we reach Banyuls, some 340kms. What a star! Jon, too, has bravely donned his walking boots for the next three days. The morning climb to the Coll Mitja - a
A long, easy walk through forest trails, over ski pistes and around pretty lakes. Mainly downhill but, nevertheless, tiring doing 18kms in 29C of blazing sun. Saw the famous 'little yellow train' on the way to the gîte at Planes. Steve and Nicola have
Quite an easy day compared to some. A long walk through a dramatic ocean of boulders, then climbs overlooking bright-blue lakes. Saw a marmotte at very close quarters - they're like giant guinea pigs. Arrived at Lac Bouillouses in good time so celebrated
Joined again by Martin and Anne from Norfolk. We climbed 4.500 feet and were surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Saw two lammergeyers at a distance and heard marmottes whistling their warnings. The best weather for about three weeks - not a cloud in the
I was looking forward to an easy day as the guide book said it was a five-hour walk. It took me eight hours! Still, the gîte in Mérens looks great and Martin and Anne and son Fraser have joined me and we're walking together again tomorrow. It was great
A long, long walk today, made better by finding a mountain restaurant open. Blueberry tart has never tasted better. A long and scary traverse took me to the Refuge de Rulhe. Slept in a dormitory with eight others, one Dutchman had 'wind' all night - the