Sunday 27 July 2014
Refuge d'Ayous. At 1980m up was pretty chilly in the shade. A few people camping by the lake. Would love to try that!
Sunday 27 July 2014
Lac Gentau front, lac du Miey behind & Pic d'Ossau over the valley. We're heading to refuge d'Ayous (right of lake).
Sunday 27 July 2014
View East from Col d'Ayous. Ah, that's better! Although you can't actually see the lakes we passed from up here. Doh!
Sunday 27 July 2014
View West from the Col d'Ayous. Yes, I know... but this is the ugly side! 
Sunday 27 July 2014
8km & 900m vertical later: Col d'Ayous! Arrived rather sweaty, but yes that is snow on the ground. Time to head back.
Sunday 27 July 2014
Passing the middle of the lacs d'Ayous. This is the rather tiny lac du Miey... and 'puddle' next to it
Sunday 27 July 2014
Lac Roumassot made a nice spot for our lunch stop. Then more climbing, this time past a waterfall toward more lakes.
Sunday 27 July 2014
The valley one could return via (we don't plan to do that today), forest clearing & appearing above the trees.
Sunday 27 July 2014
This is Lac de Bious Artigues. Pretty, but this is only the bottom of today's walk. Can't wait to see what's the top!
Saturday 26 July 2014
Dinner in Laruns. Oh look, some kind of thick soup dish with half a roast duck thrown in for good measure! Nom, nom!
Saturday 26 July 2014
Today's slightly overcast hike: beautiful Plateau de Benou. Kindof flat here (it's a plateau!) but check the views.
Saturday 26 July 2014
Treats for our picnic desert picked up at a very nice patisserie in Arudy. Nom, nom, nom! 
Saturday 26 July 2014
The sort of shower rings found in the gite. Happens that it's run by a carpenter's wife & each is hand made. Nice!
Saturday 26 July 2014
Don't you love how you can step into just about any bar in France around 5pm, order une pression & catch the end of a bike race. Cheers!
Friday 25 July 2014
Were just in Hubert Arbes Cycles chatting to the owner. He rode TdF with Phil Anderson & The Badger in the 80s. Super nice guy & top store.
Friday 25 July 2014
TdF moments you won't see on TV #3: Pro riders smiling directly at you to acknowledge your cheers & support... & your inflatable kangaroo
Friday 25 July 2014
TdF moments you won't see on TV #2: Bauer, alone & away from cameras still having the heart to pull wheelies for the crowd on Hautacam climb
Friday 25 July 2014
TdF moments you won't see on TV #1: Izagirre handing his bidon with a smile to fan who was running along beside & begging for a souvenir.
Friday 25 July 2014
11 hours for handful of seconds inches from cycling stardom. Plenty of fun in the crowd. Never dull. Didn't feel like day of waiting at all!
Thursday 24 July 2014
After a big day out, time for some rest. Some of us are even - dare I say - feeling a little deflated! #BoomTish 
Thursday 24 July 2014
Heading down to team buses, along with everyone else! You go to small races to meet riders & not Le Tour! #NotAChance
Thursday 24 July 2014
What happens when you are the only camper for miles with a TV and the stage hasn't yet finished. Make friends fast!
Thursday 24 July 2014
Pratiwi, 'chopper boy' & the 'roo shouting at @AndreGreipel. Hope the Aussie theme wasn't confusing - we love Andre!
Thursday 24 July 2014
Exchanging a few words with @luke_durbridge1 - who TBH didn't say much Got a rye smile out of him though 
Thursday 24 July 2014
With no GC contender to protect @tinkoff_saxo were just out having fun!
Thursday 24 July 2014
Seconds before Jack Bauer somehow found energy to wheelie up one of steepest parts of the climb. Real crowd pleaser!
Thursday 24 July 2014
Yelling at @richie_porte & confusing @TrekFactory Hope 'roo & flag was what brought the smile Richie. #GoAussie
Thursday 24 July 2014
@vincenzonibali cool as a cucumber as the peloton passed. Teammate Fulsgang, 3 minutes down after a job well done.
Thursday 24 July 2014
@NieveMikel & Kadri, away since the Tourmalet were separated by 11s as they past. Looked to be suffering & doomed.
Thursday 24 July 2014
Fisheye is on and ready for the riders. Few crowd & scenery shots first. Beautiful place to spend the day, huh?
Thursday 24 July 2014
Much amusement was had when inflatable walrus met inflatable kangaroo. And yes - we kept it clean!
Thursday 24 July 2014
Here comes the caravan! Luckily we picked the right side to avoid a soaking! Hot as it was, might not have been best.
Thursday 24 July 2014
At a sports event show your colours. Aussies go down better in France than Brits (funny that!), so let's go that way!
Thursday 24 July 2014
Some loon rode this Chopper part way up Hautacam. Another loon borrowed it Messing about at Le Tour - love it!
Thursday 24 July 2014
Who'd have known watching strangers pass by on a hill was so entertaining. Note guy on a chopper: More of that later!
Thursday 24 July 2014
Pratiwi on the walk up Hautacam & shady bank where we chose to wait. Great spot. Pays to start early (9am at bottom).
Wednesday 23 July 2014
An easy walk today to Lac de Soum. Not sure what the waving of baguette pieces is about. Maybe Pratiwi was hungry?
Wednesday 23 July 2014
See tiny horizontal scratch on cliff from left to centre here? That's the road between Cols Soulor & Aubisque! #Epic
Tuesday 22 July 2014
9km later... back down by Lac du Tech. Such a nice way to spend a few hours.
Tuesday 22 July 2014
Beautiful hike up above Lac du Tech this morning. 7° in the shade there, but soon warmed up. Home now. Beer. TdF on Fr3. What's not to love?
Tuesday 22 July 2014
Lunch stop by a little stream. Bread, saucisson, madeleines, banana. View! Lovely
Tuesday 22 July 2014
Lots of mountain flowers up high (these above the cabin we were officially walking to). I think these are Iris, yes?
Tuesday 22 July 2014
More views on our hike up to Cabane de Bouleste.
Tuesday 22 July 2014
On the way to Cabane de Bouleste. Pratiwi doesn't trust me to take enough pictures of the stunning scenary. WTF?!
Tuesday 22 July 2014
Heading out on today's hike. Starting by Lac du Tech, we soon warmed up in the morning sun. Such a beautiful place.
Tuesday 22 July 2014
View from window of the gite & then from the garden. Little stream right next to us. Just another day in paradise
Tuesday 22 July 2014
Hautacam climb at 3 days to go. Sorry for bad picture, don't have my big lens & is from bedroom window of our gite
Sunday 20 July 2014
Awoke in cloud so went to local market in Arrens-Marsous. Very friendly butcher invited Pratiwi to join the staff!
Sunday 20 July 2014
Our route from Spain to this week's accommodation took us over the Aubisque/Soulor. Tragic huh? #MaybeItWasPlanned
Sunday 20 July 2014
Messing about at Col d'Aubisque. Pratiwi so excited to be back in France couldn't help herself around the bike!
