To Hell and back

I´ve been there and seen the devil.  Its a great big never ending hill that tries to destroy you.  Day 1 was what I thought a tough but doable walk from St Jean to Orisson, a climb of about 700 metres before I spent a night at the Refuge Orisson.  It was doable but worse than tough.  A climb that was so steep that it took me 3+ hours to make 8 km.  In the end I was stopping every 30 - 40 meters to catch my breath.   The gradient was simply astounding.  I set out at around 10 am and after 1 pm nearly collapsed at the reception.  Was soon revived with a Grand Bierre de Pression though, not bad, and combined with the local version of a mixed grill I was ready for the next day. A photo taken on day 1 as I climbed to Orisson.

But not before the snoring monster reared its ugly head.  I was happily relaxing on my bed when what can only be described as an Idiot Dane walked in and took a nearby bunk, he then proclaimed "I suffer from sleep apnoea and will snore tonight", well thankyou very much, bastard.  I had already been subjected to 3 consecutive days of sleep deprivation on Cathay Pacific and by other snorers and now we had the grand master, The Idiot Dane.  I had around 4 hours of broken sleep, ear plugs were no use.  In the morning he told us he´d had a good nights sleep.  I suggested he sleep outisde and keep the cows awake.  Dinner was good again with roast lamb, a bean casserole and Tarte Basque to finish off.  A little wine was also consumed. 

Next morning up early to walk the final 18 km across to Roncesvalles in Spain.  A new surpise was in store for us.  RAIN.  Rain and fog like you´ve never seen.  The walk was difficult in good conditions, but with torrential rain and storng winds I was soaked to the bone within half an hour.  I had decided to walk with a Canadian and we needed each others support to get across.  Visibility was zero, I had expected to pass landmarks along the way but we´d pass without even seeing them.  Our walking track resembled a small stream and I found out that my shoes are waterproof, they don´t let any water out as I squelched my way across.  At one point it was so bad we had to take refuge in an emergency hut.  Out of the wind it was a little warmer.  We pushed on and felt sorry for a bunch of Irish youngsters who were crossing without coats or hats.  Unbelievable.  We finally got across and fell in a heap in Roncesvalles.  I took a room in a hotel to get some sleep and today walked 28 km to Larasoaña in 30+ degree heat, a hell of a change.
Back with more soon.
Bob