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Aliette woke me just after 5 this morning. Still dark outside but given how hot it has been at midday we need to get going. We have a pretty daunting 18km to start the day with no shade, no towns, no loo's. As we emerge from our hostel we see figures emerging from the shadows like George Lucas' sand people.
We walk the first 10km with Andrea, a Croatian with whom Aliette discusses the pro's and con's of cosmetic surgery. The terrain is pretty featureless - a long rocky path stretching forever with no village in sight. We are now on our 5th day of walking (if you count the two hours on Sunday) and everyday we now see familiar faces: the couple from Bordeaux, Luigi the Italian who ran the last kilometre yesterday, the brazilians who we seem to have stayed with every night. Must remember to ask these people their names !!
We have now walked over one hundred kilometres. In order to count as el Camino 100km is the minimum. We now have that under our belt and this afternoon found myself eyeing up a second hand car - options !
After six hours of walking we have lunch and sit back and enjoy stage 17 of the Tour de France - the last day in the Pyranees. I inform anyone that cares to listen that Spain will have a winner today with 70km to race. Unfortunately, there were no bookmakers to hand as an hour later Valverde crossed the line first and Wiggins secures yellow.
Tonight I will dream of being in Paris on Sunday..... or better still Santiago. Our mountains are still to come.
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Sr. ADela Don't dismay! carry on walking!
Gibbo Tough times! You're almost there now, and once you get to Santiago de Compostela you can treat yourself to a mini milk or something on me (see me for the cash when you get home). In a gesture of solidarity, we got up at about eleven and have spent the day loafing on the sofa watching the cycling, eating sausage and egg sarnies and reading the paper. It's been a tough one for all of us. Later on we're walking all the way across to Stroud Green for something to eat and a few pints with Matt and Carly. Probably get a cab home, though. Keep on smiling and we look forward to more updates and hearing all about your trip when you get back to London. Take care and much love, Gibbo & Claire Bear x