Aramits – July 23 – 25.

3 nights in one place. When we arrived last night it was quite late and the supermarket had closed, so we had to travel about 15kn into Oloron St. Marie for dinner. After driving around we found a Pub that was open and they had Euro12.00, 4 course meals. Starters was a local soup called Grubere – made from Pork, cabbage and potatoes. Doesn’t sound that great, but it is sensational! It came in a big tureen and we ate the lot – it was 9.45 and we had not eaten for about 8 hours! Next was a choice of salads – also good, followed by a selection of mains. I had pork, the girl’s steak and Brian duck. Dessert for me was Crème Brulee, ice-cream for the girls and Fromage for Brian. The reason I mention it, is that the food was really good and the price only Euro12.00 each.

The 24th July is Brian’s birthday, which also coincided with the rest day for “The Tour” in Pau. Due to our busy schedule, and late arrival the night before, we had not managed to get him a present or a card – although I did buy the Raybans. So we made cards and the girls got together a lovely collection of “Tour de France” caravan freebies and wrapped the beautifully in that days addition of “le”equipe” I had carted Steve Waugh’s book with me half way around the world (actually Brain had, as it was in the heavy suitcase, and he had already seen it in there and asked what it was), so gave him that. Possibly one of his more unusual collection of presents.
Pau was about 40km away, so off we went in search of someone familiar or famous or both! It also has a famous castle. We did not find anyone famous, or even familiar, but we had a good look around the castle. We also had a look at the huge media contingent that follows “the Tour” and stuck our heads into the media centre, before being asked to leave. Someone important was giving a press conference, but we could not see who it was. It was hard to keep up to date with the news of “The Tour”, but we had worked out that storm clouds were gathering over Rasmussen and that Vinakorov had been kicked out over blood doping.

We went back to Aramits and out to dinner in another nearby village called Arette. The meal was much more expensive than the previous night, and no where near as good. It was a bit of a let down, especially as we wanted a “special” dinner for the birthday boy. Can’t win thjem all I guess.

The 25th dawned bright and sunny, which was a bit of a change as the lat couple of days ahd been quite cloudy, with a few showers of rain. Although the Tour went close to us we decided on a day of sightseeing. Europes highest train line goes from a place called Artouste which is quite close by, and as most of the people in the area would be watching the Tour as it was the final mountain stage, it should not be too busy we figured. It was hard getting through the traffic at Laruns, which is at the bottom of the Col de Aubisque, but eventually made it. We were in Basque country and these people really love their cycling – and wear a lot of Orange!

The Pyrenees Atlantiques are stunning – especially on a clear sunny day. To get to the “Petit Train”, you leave from an altitude of 1000 meters and take a gondola up to the top of a mountain at 2000 meters. From there the little train winds its way deep into the Pyrenees and up to about 2300 metres, from there you walk to a small lake that is brilliant blue in colour. It was quite breathtaking. We climbed up a goat track
Above the lake, and on the way down I slipped on some loose rocks and landed very hard on my left buttock! I hobbled back to the train – knowing I would be sporting quite a bruise.

After leaving Artouste we drove over the Col de _____ and into Spain again, past numerous ski resorts, along a pretty valley, through a 8 km tunnel and back into France!
We had decided on a BBQ tea, and purchased all the necessary ingredients at the supermarket. The B+B com0plex had a BBQ for the guests to use, so we finished off a lovely day with a good old Barbie! Some of the ski runs looked really good, so a return visit in the winter one day is not out of the questio