We invade Spain, slipping in undetected across the border...

Taking a break before beginning another mountain assault. To the left of this, over that ridge was the second shelter, but we took the more scenic route and climbed around another mountain. I was a little over the crampons at this stage.The valleys just dropped away, and dropped down deep.

Walking down from the Breche and into Spain we walked passed this cave, full of bats and Julian. I'm striking a pose pointing towards France
The view across the Spanish side.

And now into Spain, and more snow and mountains.

So we made it up and over the Breche. Here's how we had to get down from there, ker-ching!! You can see the path we had to follow, right along the top of the snow against the mountain side. A fine balancing act.

And again, looking back at the Breche. It was pretty different on the Spanish side than the French side.

Julian, power walking ahead of me again.

I think I'm chewing on some nuts here, and just taking in the view.

Mountains, snow and the dream at altitude.

Looking back down at Gedre over my shoulder.

High on a hill with a lonely goat, er... no.

We had walked down passed these cabins, so here we're looking back down at them

This is water escaping from Lake Shirley Bassey, and Julian escaping from the Bassey.

Up the other side of the valley to Lake Shirley Bassey

And here she is, Lake Shirley Bassey, filled with ice and surrounded by snow. This was the highest point we reached on the first hike. Also the coldest as we jumped in the ice filled water.
Looking behind us towards the peaks, where we were headed the next day.

Julian, on the shores of Lake Bassey, getting ready to go for a dip.

Finally, we reach the top, well, as far as we can go without more equipment.

We're at the top for lunch, behind me is the valley we're going down and across to climb back up the other side to find Lake Shirley Bassey.Surrounded by snow and ice for lunch.
My giant hand grasping at mountain flowers.

Julian's swollen, fat hand, because of the altitude, and gout.

We're still climbing, and seeing more and more snow and ice

Up, up and up...

We continue our climb toward the top, passed old cabins and shelters.and then down through some easier valleys.
across sturdy, solid bridges...
and still looking like mountain men.
This was the first bit of proper ice we saw up close. Prior to this it was only on the top of mountains.

Day two of the holiday in the Pyrenees.

This was part of the first bit of hiking we did, on the second day. We'd stayed in Gèdre for two days, hiked up to Lake Shirley Bassey and were force fed in a brilliant hotel - the Hotel du Pyrenees - that had turquoise carpeted walls and no menus. We just ate whatever we were given.On the way to the top of the mountains on our first hike, very green, but very steep. I was sweating and breathless in about 10 minutes.
More mountain sides that we climbed.

The view up the mountain behind our hotel. Bob's Luge was there, but Bob wasn't.

Holidaying in France - Walworth hits Lourdes.

Julian and his classy glasses.The cathedral in Lourdes
The grotto in Lourdes
Julian, his glasses, the cathedral, slightly Disney feel to the place.
Me and the cathedral above the grotto.