Day 39 - Argagnon - Navarrenx - 9 June 

Time Departed: 8.00am

Time Arrived: 3.00pm

Distance: 26 kms 

Cumulative Distance: 689kms

Percentage Completed: 89% (1,116,500 steps) 

Weather: Overcast and humid in the morning, warm and sunny in the afternoon

Accommodation: Le Relais du Jacquet 

Feelings: Neil - Happy, Henk - Good,  Di - Happy

There was a storm overnight but it didn’t wake us. We had breakfast with Raquel the Pig. She was still in her bed snoring quite loudly and she seemed quite oblivious to us! 

Andrew our host was catching a bus at eight o’clock to go to watch the broadcast Union match between New Zealand and France in a nearby town. Raquel was being put out prior to his departure.

We walked the first two kilometres to Maslacq where we picked up lunch supplies from a small local store. There, we met Tom and we stayed together for the day’s walk. 

It was a longer walk today and there were quite a few steep ascents and descents. Some of them quite taxed us. This is probably to be expected as we approach The Pyrenees. We could frequently see the beautiful snow-capped mountains during the morning.

After walking about twelve kilometres we arrived at a very tiny hamlet, Sauvelade. We had about a forty minute break having a coffee and early lunch. From Sauvelade we had fourteen kilometres to go. There was a very steep, long walk on tarmac up to Burgnein. I had to call “rest” which I haven’t had to do too many times on this walk. It took us up quite high on a ridge and the views over the lush, green countryside was extensive. 

We passed another large duck farm which the French say is for both the meat and for Fois Gras. 

About four kilometres from the accommodation we caught up with Charlotte and Kevin having a break. It was good to see them again and it was good news from Charlotte that she had overcome the ongoing problem with one of her her boots. We chatted for a while before setting out for the last stretch. It was getting quite warm by this stage.

When we arrived at our accommodation our room wasn’t quite ready. The floors were still wet so we waited in the garden for them to dry. Tom is not staying at the same accommodation as us so we arranged to meet at a local outdoor bar at five thirty. We were joined by the Canadians, Penny and Penny and Charlotte and Kevin and we had a lovely time chatting. With the exception of Tom we were all staying at the same accommodation and we returned to our hotel at seven thirty for dinner. Our host cooked a delicious four-course meal for fourteen people. Six of us spoke English and eight spoke French. Our host could speak English and Charlotte and Kevin can speak intermediate French so we were able to converse quite well. 

Today’s walk was difficult in parts but it was good to be walking high in the hills again with lovely views over the countryside. We now have only four more walking days to go to arrive at St Jean-Pied-de- Port.