‘M off….bus wnkr hike.

[OnHellas]

Well, that’s today nearly done. It turned out to be much tougher than o thought that it was going to be. Possibly because I had such a good day yesterday.

Anyway, I’m having some much needed food and then it’s another 500 meters to a campsite. Hopefully they can squeeze in a small one.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Great pictures. Looks beautiful but hot!

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

Only a little further to go...
Have a good rest!

 

[OnHellas]

Only a little further to go...
Have a good rest!
View attachment 331709

Bloody hell….as if I needed reminding

I’m doing OK though. 135km done so far ish. Another 20 tomorrow and then a rest day.
A clean up and a reset ready for the rain and thunderstorms that are forecast.

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

A day at a time mon ami!
I found that elevating my legs helped a lot as with rolling up a towel under your knees when you are about to sleep helps too.
If weather is forecast that bad, maybe stop a day or two and recharge?

 

[OnHellas]

A day at a time mon ami!
I found that elevating my legs helped a lot as with rolling up a towel under your knees when you are about to sleep helps too.
If weather is forecast that bad, maybe stop a day or two and recharge?

I domt think that the towel trick is going to be that helpful….

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

Use anything you have!
Enjoy your walk- you're building memories for a lifetime!

 

[zoltan]

I domt think that the towel trick is going to be that helpful….

Is that towel any good? Has good reviews. What size is that?

 

[OnHellas]

Is that towel any good? Has good reviews. What size is that?

I’d say it’s pretty good. It wets out fairly quickly but still carries on working.
Mine is the medium which measures 50x100 cm.
48 grams plus whatever it’s little pouch weighs.
It cost me £15 or so I think.

Certainly a nice usability to size ratio for backpacking.

 

[brut33]

Well, that’s today nearly done. It turned out to be much tougher than o thought that it was going to be. Possibly because I had such a good day yesterday.

Anyway, I’m having some much needed food and then it’s another 500 meters to a campsite. Hopefully they can squeeze in a small one.

I'm enjoying this, it's a fantastic hike which is a credit to your fitness. I bet you're glad you went to Dent as a shakedown.

Great picture of that big bird scanning the flock. Was it an eagle?

 

[OnHellas]

I'm enjoying this, it's a fantastic hike which is a credit to your fitness. I bet you're glad you went to Dent as a shakedown.

Great picture of that big bird scanning the flock. Was it an eagle?

I’m glad that you feel part of it having directed an important part of my build up.

I’m also glad that you thought that Vulture was circling the sheep and not me. There were about 6 of them in the air, very impressive and almost impossible to get a good photo even with the mighty iPhone SE.

 

[OnHellas]

I’ve had a rest day today in a beautiful little town called Isaba.
Yesterday’s walk was fairly easy going until the last hour and a half of descending in to town.
I’m at a little hotel. It’s basic, the food is basic, the basic wine is included with the basic food. The owners here are so nice.
I’m feeling overwhelmingly happy although missing my other half.
I’m also still in awe of what’s potentially in front of me…maybe another 40 days or so.

The guide book says that I am leaving behind the rolling hills of the Basque Country and entering the mountains….fuck me!!

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

The Basque hills were just foreplay!
One 'mole hill' at a time

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

If you're in Isaba ( blue pin) , you've got some choices of trails coming up.
Lovely array of peaks too some 2000m+
I hope you've got some energy bars / Kendal mint cake!
Contour lines are beginning to get interesting too...

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Sounds like you're experiencing a variety of ups and downs, both physical and mental.
But it also sounds like you're in a good place both physically and mental right now.
Taking a day out sounds good, time to ponder and reflect on all that is good in one's life and despatch the shi'ite.
Keep up the good work and stay safe Comrade.

 

[brut33]

How things Paul? I hope your weather is holding up.

 

[boatman]

Hope he ain’t fallen off a mountain !

 

[OnHellas]

Well chaps I’m still going..well I was until 20 minutes ago when I got to Sallent de Gallego. I’m staying indoors tonight, I’ll explain in a bit.
First job…cold drinks, crisps, Tortilla, cake.

And no, i haven’t fallen off of a mountain although the though has crossed my mind a few times

Later.

Oh, weather. Today, lovely.
Yesterday, sun, rain, hail, torrential rain, fog, snow…although that was underfoot not falling on my head.

 

[OnHellas]

On the climb earlier today.

 

[OnHellas]

Right, the rest day in Isaba seems like a distant memory already.
I set of from there nice and early as my plan was to link the next two stages, as the guide book lays things out, together.
Zuzira was only 11km and I got there in very good time, there’s no cafes or anything, so carried on with my plan.
The next part was to a junction known as La Mina. There is nothing there but for a river and plenty of cow shit…but then that’s everywhere here. More flies, that’s what’s needed, more flies.

Anyway, before La Mina was a climb up to a Col and fuck me what a climb. I really struggled. The struggle was physical to a point but I just couldn’t get my head around it.
Then Xavi came along. A chap from the Basque Country and he was so encouraging and friendly it really helped. He waited for me at the Col and was full of enthusiasm for what we had just done.

And the views!!!! That’s what all the effort was for…apparently. A good photo on the internet is probably enough but hey ho, I’m here so I may as well show a bit of enthusiasm.