Le Roi des Montagnes

Now the great thing about staying with Fi and Susan (apart from seeing them of course) is that they live within spitting distance of the Pyrenees, and while Mel likes getting up into the mountains it also provided me with an excuse to see a few of the famous Tour de France Cols. So while the aforementioned Fi and Susan headed off to their respective workplaces Mel and I popped by a boulangerie to fuel up with croissants and pains au chocolat (munched on in über pretty surroundings), and started spinning the needle of the altimeter.

First up was the Col d'Aspin, which when tackled from west to east made me think 'I could do this'. Okay, so it wouldn't be fast, and most certainly wouldn't be pretty, but in my current shape I reckon I could tackle a Tour Col. One. In a day. If I didn't have to cycle for a week afterwards. Because you see we then went up the iconic Col du Tourmalet, which was a different kettle of fish (though strangely disappointingly uninspiring at the top - Mel asked if I wanted my picture taken by the famous (ugly) statue to mark the pass summit,nut I declined with the theory that I'm only allowed to have my photo taken with it once I've cycled up).

Jus before the Tourmalet we actually stopped (as many cyclists were doing) in a sk resort, and while they were stocking up on coffee and whatever sugars the could get down we hit the cable car to le Pic du Midi, one of the highest points in the Pyrenees, and site of a meteorological station, a television transmitter, and, of course a restaurant. It was stunning, truly stunning, even more so as a Red Kite buzzed the cable car on the way up, and Mel spotted a Marmotte on the way down (I tried t see it, but while we had the car to share with 4 other people going up, there was a gang of about 39 unruly school kids with us going down which made moving to see anything particularly difficult).

The best, however, was saved for last. The Col d'Aubisque isn't the highest pass at all in the Tour, but the scenery just takes on a whole new level of awesome, and the road from the preliminary Col du Soulor is quite frankly astounding - clinging to the side of the rock, giving Mel palpitations. The loooooooong run down the other side confirmed the most difficult ascent side, and all of it (especially seeing so many cyclists) just made me want to come back with a bike to try and tackle some of these monsters. Maybe next year.

For the time being there was dinner with Fi and Susan to get back to, and more chatting about football and acting and poetry over a couple of whiskies (the Irish 'e' variety) into the wee small hours before being shouted at that it was probably time for bed.

Long day. Good day. Mountainous day.