Monday 28 July 2008

In spite of warnings we awoke to blue skies and just a few clouds. We both went for another run along the Voie Vert, through the thermal park and past the casino. Russ went off first and did 1hr 7mins and I did 40mins 40 – an even split for the out and back. This was my longest run since the hip injury and I’m really pleased I could do this after yesterday’s exertions. It was a beautiful clear, warm sunny morning and we both went off in the direction of Pierrefitte where we had started the walk the day before. There were a few other runners and some cyclists but it was quieter than yesterday – a Sunday.

We had breakfast outside again at the Salon de the up in the square – great coffee and OJ and this time I decided on a pain au chocolat rather than the very sickly meringue – style croissant amande I had had the day before.

We left the hotel at a minute before 11am and after refuelling were on the road towards Pau and ultimately St Jean de Luz. It was a short hop of around 100 miles, and as it was mainly peage we did the trip in around 2 hours.

After finding the hotel (opposite the station) and our ‘baby’ room as the receptionist called it, we had lunch (our picnic) in the room. Unfortunately the fine weather had deteriorated and it was cloudy and windy, although still very warm and humid in St Jean de Luz. My thoughts of sunning myself on the beach or walking around a colourful, exotic town evaporated. It was very different to how I’d envisaged it and a bit of a shock to the system after the wide spaces and fresh mountain air of the Pyrennees. We crashed out for a while. I think we are both tired after all the activity and travelling, but Russ won’t admit it! We then went for a wander about town, the sea front and picked out a restaurant Russ had read about in my Insight Guide – the Petit Basque. We hoped to eat there later. Next a beer in the bar next to our hotel and a bit of postcard writing before going back to the Hotel Colbert.

Unfortunately the restaurant was full so we settled for a small bar/brasserie where we shared a salad and had sardines (Russ) and crevettes (Helen). The local white wine went well with the meal especially after a welcome leffe aperitif! Then it was off to the square where we had a couple of beers and listened to a band for a few hours..I found the navigation back to the hotel rather challenging…