Wet – 90 miles along the coast and inland, rain followed by harder rain but fortunately not cold, if you kept going that is! Soon very rural and rustic which was to be the theme of the trip. Great tastes too at our coffee and lunch stops – a basque omelette filled with the most delicious mushrooms I’ve ever tasted, unforgettable! 90 miles and our taste of our first fourcols, gradual creeping climbs but comfortable warm-ups for the big ones tomorrow. Last one col d’Osquich (495m) taken in pouring rain and fog after 100k’s tested me out but happy with the first day and 140kms. Stopped over night in a proud village, Arrette, and very comfortable hotel where our bikes were washed clean by the proprietor – an act I thought demonstrating how high the French hold their biking heritage. Same service in England – forget it!
Dinner – three course as much as you could eat – superb. Proprietor makes a later appearance, smashed! (More the English way!)
