Peyrehorade to Saint Palais – 31km
12C
Terrain: hilly roads.

I started in a downpour (boo!). After a pretty stressful stretch on quite busy roads this morning, I was then in the middle of lush green rolling hills, nice and calm.

Storm clouds leaving me this time, yay!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, I caught a glimpse of the mountains ahead. There they are in the distance. I’m gradually getting closer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surrounded by natural beauty, it just makes me feel so small and insignificant.

I’m now in the Pays Basque, an area with very strong cultural roots and its own Basque language (clear on all of the signs). This area borders with Spain and has about three million inhabitants.  My first time here so really interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some autumn colours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saint Palais is a lovely little town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local specialities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

South West France is certainly the place to be if you like to eat duck!

Tomorrow, the elevation starts increasing before the next stage where I go over the highest point on my route. I’m actually really excited about it, I just love being in the mountains and in nature.

I’m even trying to send Bob ahead (lazy thing) so that I can really try to enjoy this part and not have to lug 35kg over a mountain! Fingers crossed.