Day 8 Je Suis Un Yorkshireman.

One of the nice things about the Journey is meeting people. You don’t meet many but the ones you do all seem to share a love of the hills. Last night I slept in a mountain Hut. There were only 3 other guests, all walking the G.R. 10 but in the other direction. 2 men who were doing it over a several different holidays and a lady, Cecile a 34 year old mountain guide who looked like she should be on the cover of a magazine. She had walked all the way from Banyules in 33 days and is on to finish in 40 days. Amazing considering her pack was twice the size of the one I have. Anyway I had to share a dormitory with her. Luckily for me she wasn’t attracted to a hobbling,balding middleaged men with bad breath cold sores and feet that now smell of two day old tuna. Otherwise I would have had to fight her off. So the point of the story is Cecile, the two other guests, the refuge warden and several other people I have met today all asked me the same question. Are you from Scotland? Non Mademoiselle, Je Suis Un Yorkshireman. Tonight I had the privilege of spending dinner sat next to Rob who originally from Ashbourne in Derbyshire, went to University in Newcastle but spends large parts of his year climbing and walking in the Western Highlands. At least he could understand me. Rob is doing the H.R.H. The high level route which spends most of the time above 2500 meters and rarely drops into the valleys. In addition to a love of the Pyrenees Rob and I have something else in common. SORE FEET Rob’s are so bad he is having a rest day tomorrow. Mine have been bad today and I am taking a few easy days. Today was only 15 km but it took me 6 1/2 hours. However the scenery was the best yet. I even saw several marmots. I did take some photos but again can’t seem to get them to upload. Obviously operator error. Bon nuit.