18 August 2019

After a very good nights sleep we left Souriade with Veronique taking us to the local Basque Church for a camino passport stamp. We left Martin with Philippe and Veronique to recover for a few days as he has been having issues with an infection for which he has some antibiotics. He will meet us in Bilbao.

We cycled to St Jean de Luz another tourist town that was absolutely jam packed with people. A quick wander around the village, sorbet and coffee and we followed the coast to Irun. We crossed the border and we are now in Spain. And what a difference. It certainly is not France! We have enjoyed an early dinner at a tapas bar accompanied with wine of course. Judy is doing a great job with the spanish.

We have cycled approx 1000 km so far 800km to go.

irun

17 August 2019

Another beautiful morning back through Bayonne and onto Biarritz following the coast. Biarritz is full of tourists and heaps of people on holiday. A very wealthy looking town reminding us of the French Riviera. We are staying with friends of Martin and Judy in a small village of Souraide. Local knowledge is helping in planning our route into Spain tomorrow. Thanks to Philppe and Veronique for their wonderful hospitality.

16 August 2019

We moved into the heart of the Basque Country today. A big change in the shape and look of the houses. The last of the sunflower fields replaced by fields of kiwi fruit. No hills today which was nice and a warm 29 degrees when we reached Bayonne. A visit to the bike shop to check the bikes and a late lunch stop followed by some sight seeing. Tonight’s accomodation is about 15km from Bayonne a beach holiday resort with lots if chalets being used by families for their holidays. After a paella dinner we did a visit to the beach on the bikes about 3k away. Our first visit to the Atlantic ocean.

15 August 2019

It was meant to be a shorter easier day today, however our navigation went a bit wrong so add on was necessary with mandatory steep climbing practice. We also found some wind today which is the first we have encountered. Tonight’s accomodation is on a golf course with swimming pool. Pre dinner drinks beside the pool with live music. Everyday brings something new.

14 August 2019

Today the scenery covered more sunflower fields,grapevines, corn maize and clover. France is such a huge producer of agriculture everywhere you look there is fields and fields of produce. We saw a deer pop out from the corn fields and a freshwater crayfish in the middle of a tunnel. We rode some nice quiet roads between farms and of course the finish at the village at the top of the hill. We also got our first view of the pyrenees mountains in the distance. Lunch and drink stops perfect. Weather perfect. Navigation perfect thanks to Judy and Kev. Drinks and accommodations perfect thanks to Martin. Another great day.

13 August 2019

Followed our hostess recommendations and visited another 3 beautiful villages. Cooler temperatures today perfect for riding the ups and the downs, and no wind. We cycled some track towards the end of the ride ensuring our bikes were covered in mud.

12 august 2019

11 August 2019

A later start this morning as we knew we could not get into tonight’s accomodation until 4.30pm. We had not anticipated the heavy rain that started as we left Cahors so a quick stop for the rain coats. The rain continued for nearly 20km so it was a good test of our Ortlieb panniers which proved to be very waterproof. Luckily we came across a makeshift cafe especially for camino walkers which served us hot coffee followed by an early lunch of Cassoulet. We warmed up here and the rained stopped for the rest of the journey into Moissac. This was predominantly sunflower growing country and we passed numerous fields although the main growing season is over so the bright yellow petals had fallen. We visited the historic Moissac Abbey. Tonight’s accomodation is an odd B&B, however a good shower and bed is all we need.

10 August 2019

R&R day in Cahors. Route planning, Followed by good food and excellent vino choices by Martin. Staying at the Brit Hotel with a/c in the rooms and a quiet street.

9 August 2019

More wow moments today. Troglodyte houses built into the cliffs. St – Cirq-lapopie another most beautiful village of France. Nice gentle riding in high 30’s degrees along the Cele and Lot Rivers. 70km all up happy to finish a very hot day. Gin and tonics all round.