Le Bois Joli Cauterets

... from the French side, knowing that just on the other side was the Ordessa Canyon that we had walked 3 days early.

Back at the Hotel Chili, Sue defended her title as mini-golf champion, even though all the obsticals had been removed. After dinner, Sue checked out the ...

Tom drove Eva to the train station in Lordes and after lunch we all went for a hike to the base of the Cirque de Gavarnie. Impressive!! The walls are 1,000 meters up, 50% taller than El ...

... of those guys flying up and down these crazy roads. Everyone was very happy to see us when got back and enjoyed a nice pizza in town complete with a little kiddie room with toys. They know how to make it comfortable for parents with kids.
 
                             

... Silicon Valley of Scotland; the Niagra Falls of Kansas, etc.) We arrived in time to claim the best bunk beds in the place (lucky) before enjoying a simple hearty meal and a noisy, but surprisingly comfortable night's sleep.

                     

We got used to our new home in Saint Sauveur, the spa town 5 minutes from the main town of Luz Saint Sauveur and took the afternoon to explore the ...

On Sunday, we checked into new home, Hotel Chili, which is all self-contained apartments. The accommodation was simple but was made up for by the giant lawn with Mini-Golf course, free range chickens, and playground within walking distance. And FREE LAUNDRY!!! Needless to say, Sue was in heaven. We played Mini-golf that night and Sue kicked Tom's butt. Embarrassing...

       

The next day, we took the kids for a lunch time hike along the GR10 to Lac du Gaube with a view of Vignemale the highest mountain in the French ...

We spent a lazy day in and around our hotel, casually visiting Luz Saint Sauveur, about 10 minutes from our hotel. We also drove up to Gavarnie, the famous Cirque in the region. There weren't much in the ways of views as the mountains were in the clouds.
 
 

... dark clouds appeared from out of nowhere. I had just enough time to grab my belongings and dive into the tent for protection. In all my time on plant earth I have never experienced thunder and lightening, wind and rain such as this. I was terrified and in tears. The tent for all its technical ability was utterly unstable. I was unable to do anything other than mummify myself in my sleeping bag and hope I'd survive the night. I hardly slept, but live I did ...

... quite alergic to the bites too with swellings appearing several hours later the size of teacups. Between the bruises and the swellings I look a state! Quick trip to the (40kms of hitching) nearest town and pharmacy and once again I'm able to sleep soundly at night, rather than scratching.

My French is improving slowly. I can ask for a lift, where I can find things like ...