Dungeons and Dragons
We washed our clothes last night. Thought I'd let you all know. We hung them up to dry marvelling at how quickly licra dries. This morning they were still as wet as they were after being wrung out the previous evening.
We sat at breakfast, thankful that we were on a wooden bench tather than leaking on to an upholstered chair, freezing cold from wearing very wet clothes. We weren't even that sure they smelt any better but perhaps I ought to stop there?
At the other end of the very long breakfast table were a young Spanish couple. They spoke some English which we made full use of and asked them to convey our apologies to our host for our sorry lack of knowledge of the Spanish language. I did learn Lo Siento: Sorry. Every English person needs to be able to apologise in whichever country they find themselves. After all, you're not truly English unless, if you walk into a door, you apologise to it.
The day started quite cool. We made the most of it by setting off as soon as we could. I know I went on about our climb yesterday but today we climbed 3,800 ft, and cycled just shy of 60 miles in what became scorching heat. Late twenties and thirty degrees is scorching for a Brit....
We knew we had three significant climbs today. The 'dragons' as they became known. We slew one dragon before our coffee stop in Hernani ( I think!) which is perched high up a hill, as European towns are in the habit of doing. We were pretty tired already and quite nervous about the next two dragons.
So what about the dungeons? Well, as ever, we plunged through many a subway or short tunnel. However, one tunnel stands out. It cannot have been higher than about 4 feet. And the height varied as you went. I called out 'Duck!' as is customary in these circumstances to a stoker (person on the back of a tandem) as they often have no idea of the impending height restriction. But this time it was more like cycle limbo dancing. Our heads needed to be pretty well level with the handlebars in order to avoid decapitation. The other dungeon of note, was sealed by a locked door. I love the sat nav, but it does try it on occasionally with stairs and 'route barré.
The second dragon was the highest. It afforded fantastic views and made us feel like we were still doing Pyraneesy things. Especially as there was a good sprinkling of zig zags. And lizards on the road.
Then, all of a sudden, France happened. We had forgotten about France. Yet here it was, waiting for us. The sign announcing our arrival was less glorious than the sign for Cleethorpes (I imagine) but we stopped and took a picture of it nonetheless.
For one dizzy moment, I thought all the dragons were before the French border so we must have slain them all. But no. And the third hill was the hardest. Why? Because we started at sea level. So even though we didn't reach the same altitude, we climbed more.
We knew that we would drop into St. Jean de Luz. It took it's time but did happen eventually. We had taken the children here when they were about eleven and five. It was one of those holidays when we drove off the ferry and thought: Right. Where shall we go? Happy days.
After lunch in St. Jean de Luz, we thought we had done the hard work. We hadn't. The path which I fondly imagined was going to stay by the sea, didn't. We reached the sea for about twenty yards. I'm not exaggerating. Massive climbs in intense heat followed.
When we reached the air bnb, where I now write from, we were truly exhausted.
I'm sure I would have struggled to write this were it not for the fact that we are staying in what's billed as 'a romantic room' ... it is a bedroom in someone's house, and the romance is fuelled by the adornment within the room of a thousand nick nacks. There is nowhere to put anything but this is no problem for us as we have no luggage to speak of. We can just allow the romance of the room to fan the flames of love.....
Here's hoping you managed to get your clothes dry before the perspiration of the 30C heat 🥵 turned up and lo and behold, your clothes are wet again, but this time, not only wet but Smelly too 🤣 However, the water looks inviting, did you go for a swim? x
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