Ceri: What a great day! Tough though, but sunshine all day. We waited for the temperature to reach 8° before setting off and wound our way upwards from 500m to 1305m, regularly crossing paths with the walkers. It was a long, long slog. Even at the top there were more hills with one reaching 1337m before the long descent. But the views have been spectacular all day and everyone seems to have been buoyed by the sunshine, especially after yesterday’s downpours. 

Neil had to push occasionally, it was so so steep and long. We passed a young Cuban couple on e-bikes. The poor girlfriend was in tears with exhaustion so her boyfriend cycled both bikes up: one first, then walk back, then the other etc, while she walked. My heart went out to her as I’ve been in that situation with Neil in the past! But it made me realise I must be fairly fit as she was less than half my age with a light pannier.  We can barely lift my panniers! 

We stopped at a bar near the top of the main hill and joined a group of really entertaining Irishmen sipping beers, one of whom decided to steal my bike for a laugh. I saw the Cuban girl arrive and gave her a long hug.

On we continued, up and down, to another pub at the highest point. A beer… of course. And I plugged my battery in for a top up, just in case. At the start of our descent, we passed a helicopter evacuation of a hiker who’d had a suspected heart attack. Neil cycled past as he was being carried into the helicopter and said he looked fairly OK. Lots of worried onlookers. Then down and down we coasted, mile after mile with a few cruel uphills towards the end which finished Neil off. Gosh he’s tough. Thank heavens for my e-bike. I didn’t need the extra charge but it was good to know there was plenty left. 

When we arrived at our accommodation, we were welcomed by a group of American ladies enjoying a wine at the entrance to our accommodation. I’d chosen a pretty apartment overlooking the river with plenty of bars, and I saw that “I need a beer” look on an exhausted Neil. He’d looked after me the last 2 days, so it was my turn. I left him settling in with the ladies and set off to find a supermarket. Our rather special apartment had a decent kitchen, and it’s relaxing to eat ‘at home’ occasionally. When I returned with my groceries, Neil was surrounded by the group of American ladies which had tripled in size. He was completely recovered and I joined them a while before we all went our own ways. We both love these random meetings.