Across the Pyrenees on red wine and ibuprofen

Woke up this morning all clean and the beard gone, no rucksack to pack and no boots to put on. In fact I’ve got nothing to do except walk to the bakers to get some fresh bread for breakfast. It’s the future!! The last day yesterday was a bit tougher than expected which is typical of the GR11 and even at the very end the way marking was poor so we had to improvise and climb down the cliffs to the sea. It’s been a fantastic adventure and well worth the effort. Now for some sunshine and wine.

w3w : ///adverbs.blusher.drummer

Can’t quite believe it but we’re finally here – at the end of the GR11 after our crossing of the Pyrenees.

It was a lovely surprise last night when the girls arrived a day early and a top result later when our brilliant receptionist suggested – well, if the taxi picks you up in the afternoon, I’ll get him to come here first so you can leave your rucsacs…. (What a difference just carrying a daysac makes !)

The walk in was not too long (4 hours), but more tricky than we had expected, our mate Brian had thrown in a few final ups and downs to keep things interesting to the end….

And it was a great sight to see the lighthouse at the end of the peninsula appear.

At the end, whilst we were expecting Brass bands or at least a sign board, there was nothing ! Not even an easy trail down to the sea for the obligatory swim so we ended up scrambling down the rocks.

And now we’re in L’Escala for a few days R&R – and in clean clothes !

More to follow – we’re having a beer !

w3w///forefathers.soaps.sculptor

We left the hotel after breakfast for Neil and an imodium for Martin, (say no more..!), and basically walked out along the old tracks – looking out for what we knew was close….

And then, there it was – our first sight of the Mediterranean Sea – beautiful !!

Neil also found another Hermitage, (he likes a good hermitage), this one from 10th Century in an unbelievably bad place for construction access… (oh no, I’ve started thinking about work again !)

We dropped down to the coast at Llanca and then made our way along to El Port de Silva via a couple of beach bara

And now tomorrow is our last day – can’t quite believe it ! And the girls are joining us in the morning so tomorrow should be a great day 🤞

(One more day please knees – we can do it !!!)

We’ve done it!! We’ve made it to the Med after 55 days (not sure if we have counted properly but who cares). One more leg tomorrow which gets us to the actual end at Cap de Creus. The support team were due to meet us in the morning and walk with us but they have surprised us by arriving at our hotel today. This was after a debate with the receptionist at the hotel trying to explain that I hadn’t booked 2 rooms. Anyway they are here and we are so glad to see them, it’s been a long time since they left us in the Basque Country.

w3w///merry.deep.half

A hot, dusty trek today – the scenery has changed again and we are now passing through olive groves and vineyards.

We skipped the first part of todays stage from La Jonquera on the basis that would have made it a 32k long day – too much in the heat, (and because we’re tired !)

Last night was fun, we had dinner with some fellow GR11 travellers.

And staying in a very nice hotel tonight – memories of Refugis are fading – except that our fancy room has been temporarily turned into a Chinese laundry but hopefully this is the last time !

w3w:///carpeting.dandruff.loonies

Another day walking through the trees today in seriously sticky conditions – not very pleasant at times.

Navigation was hard today as well – when we were walking along a single track path there were lots of way-markers, (when we didn’t need them), but then at a junction… nothing !

And hard to find the right way in a maze of forest tracks and with a blanket of tree cover..

(It seems Neil’s letter to the Catalan authorities about waymarking has made little difference!)

Anyway, we have made it to La Jonquera which is completely different to anywhere we have stayed before. It is basically a border town / truck stop on the motorway from France to Spain complete with lots of cheap booze, tat shops, supermarkets, motels, casino’s etc..

(And ladies in bikinis on the outskirts of town – we’ve definitely not seen that before on the trail !)

w3w : ///brags.sugar.coils

A good day today if you like looking at trees in really hot and humid conditions….

The trail cuts up and over as usual but with little views through the trees, it was hard to see the route and bigger picture.

The day also started badly with a domestic laundry issue – the washing we had left out to dry overnight was full of dew – so we had to pack it up wet and when we stopped, try and dry it for a few minutes – which didn’t work, all a bit smelly by the end of the day so re-wash required ☹️

Just arrived at Macanet de Cabrenys and checked into the hotel La Quadra which has air conditioning. We’ve been walking since 7:30 this morning which we planned to hopefully avoid the worst of the heat but it’s been like walking in a sauna all day. No fantastic views as most of the time we were on forest trails which is going to be the same for the next couple of days until we get sight of the Med. It’s 21km towards the finishing line and the village is another picturesque little place.