Pyrenees!

Today we made an early-ish start for the Pyrenees - about a 4 hour drive north-west from Barcelona. It was a beautiful sunny day for most of it until we got high in the Alps. As you can see the scenery was absolutely stunning, most especially as we got into the Pyrenees. We would definitely not have come this route had Karl not been intent on riding the Col du Tourmalet but it was quite the experience.

Today was the practice ride from Arreau over the Col d' Aspen - just a mere 12 km up 800 metres! Quite a feat but the bigger ride is tomorrow…stay tuned! I was a bit chuffed with myself as well - I drove a European manual car for the first time up those narrow, steep and very windy roads all by myself…didn't get out of second gear though!

I guess we will soon get the hang of the fact that the shops shut at 12 until about 2pm. Then they open and the restaurants close. We wanted to shop and then eat the other way around!

Our accommodation is a bit north of the Pyrenees in a tiny little village called Ardiege and is a B&B which I found online. Its so cute and gives us the cultural experience that Ibis Budget lacks! We drive back south tomorrow for the big ride and stay here again tomorrow!