All night the dogs were barking and scrapping. Running past the tent and making as much noise as possible to keep me awake. I was glad when morning came. I opened the tent and started breakfast. The sun rose quickly and it was already hot by the time I had packed away. The Germans I had camped with were ready to set off at the same time so we hiked up the mountain together. It started through beech woodland before coming out onto beautiful rocky mountain passes. Once we reached the very top, they stopped for breakfast and I continued. I had a long way to go today.
Once over the pass, it started to get busy. Theth area is by far the most popular and with these views, it was easy to see why. I followed the trail down and down all the way into the bottom of the valley. It was a long yet beautiful climb down. Once in the valley, I followed a gravel road into Valbones. It was a small town with a hotel I could stop, recharge my power bank and send a message home. After an hour waiting to get some charge, I started along the road again. It was only a short road walk which was good as I hate road walking. I stopped at the river and took a quick dip in the freezing water before I started climbing again.
The next climb was very steep. By this time, it was 36C so the climb was tough. I really felt the heat and had to take my time. But as I climbed the views just got better and better. Eventually I managed to find some shade and a reasonably flat rock to stop and have lunch. The break, out of the sun was very welcome.
I was about half way to the summit. There was also a water source there which I was in desperate need of. Much of the rest of the ascent was through woodland which was a welcome break from the sun. The views from the top were spectacular, but sadly they didn't include a water source. A group hiking the other was said about 40 minutes walk to the next was source. It took me through steep rocky terrain and little green valleys full of sheep tended to by the local farmers. Finally, I found some water. Just before going down into a beautiful little village of farmers high in the mountains.
I walked through the little village saying hello to the locals and filling my bottles from the trough. I could feel something soft rubbing against my legs. In the mud under the trough was a hairy puppy trying to play with my trekking poles. He was biting at them trying to carry them off. I played with him for a bit then kept hiking. He followed me. I tried to send him back to the house and escape but the poles were too enticing. I put them away and managed to sneak off.
The trail continued down through the forest. By this point I was very tired from a long steep day and no sleep the night before. I soon found myself in a clearing and found a flat spot to set up. I had my cold soaked meal and by this point I was pretty used to it. The sun soon set and I got to bed and to sleep hoping to catch up on last night.
