THE PILGRIMAGE - DAY 10

15 May
As expected, last night was a night completely without sleep for Ben, whose earplugs were ineffective to the horrendous snoring of friend, Francois. Paul's earplugs blocked out all sound. A frisky, refreshed and enthusiastic Francois rattled the hell out of Ben at 5.30am this morning when he jumped out of bed, donned his gear and was all set for cycling action.

A relatively uneventful, but very enjoyable, day on the saddle for Paul and Ben. Having pedalled 34.8 miles, they arrived at Navarrenx in exceptionally good time and dismounted at 2pm. Had they not telephoned gites and hostelries ahead and been informed that all accommodation was fully booked, our boys would have soldiered onwards. If they had taken a chance, it could have been very interesting with Paul in his 'one man' tent and Ben in a sleeping bag open to the elements. It would have certainly livened up this particular blog. They took the opportunity of going into a 14th century English 'bastide' in Navarrenx this afternoon and mulled upon the battle with the Giants that awaits them.
A lowlight and a highlight today. The lowlight being that Paul was 'hauled over' by Les Gendarmes whilst pedalling. No explanation from the two unfriendly gentlemen and after a considerable amount of gesticulation on their part, a non-plussed Paul and a 'bon jour, comment allez vous?' from Benjamin (as he ground to a halt, wrongly assuming that they were engaged in chatty conversation), the cops told our pedallers to get on their bikes! (I'm thrilled because, for once, that expression can be used in it's correct context)
The highlight manifested itself at the summit of the last .... hill of the day before Navarrenx. Paul, comme d'habitude, was first to reach the summit and was pointing towards something in the distance. Ben caught up with his pal and saw the vision for himself. Quote from both: 'Awesome'
Alors! The Giants - the mighty Pyrenees! Those ........ hills of the past weeks will now look like molehills.
They hope to reach Saint-Jean-de-Port - the final French town on The Route of St James - tomorrow evening. After that, it's L'Espagna and The Pyrenees.
Let battle commence.

Jenny