Amazing. I was here on a day ride from Ceret just last fall. I can't believe I'd forgotten how recent this was.

I wanted to see both gates, and the bridge. I checked all of those off the list. Tomorrow we have only 23 miles to Lagrasses - but there's a fine looking castle on the way - chateau de villarouge termenes. I have Jacinto on notice that we have to detour there. He's not fond of detours, but check in at our hotel isn't until 5 PM. We have lots of time, it is 1,800 feet of climbing, quite a bit for the miles. But I need to get my castle count up!

Oh, good. I was hoping you'd see this bridge on your way out of town.

How did you know? Lol

One to sleep in, one to spread out panniers contents on?

Well done.

In France, at restaurants, ask for “une carafe d’eau” and you’ll get a jug or bottle of perfectly drinkable tap water. Save your Euros for other countries that don’t offer free water.

As Léo Woodland told us on that other site years ago, all French cemeteries have water taps. I haven’t needed to look (yet) but they may also have toilet facilities like I’ve seen elsewhere. Better yet are the public water taps in many villages, often signed “eau potable” and great for filling bottles. Occasionally they are signed “non potable” and I’d avoid those.

You are correct. While we were at the fateful intersection, we could see the map went around, but could not see mileage numbers. In our wisdom, we did not want to commit to miles we couldn’t gauge on the fly.

Internet here is dismal. I will delete that map and try posting again.

We did cross paths with a couple hiking. I was at the panting heavily stage. They both gave me the side eye as they passed, although I did manage to gasp out a buen dia.

Yuk. As I suspected, you're just getting back onto the paved road you were already on.

This didn't load for some reason. It's too bad - I'm curious to see where you actually went.

I'm so sorry you had such a miserable experience, Kelley. It looks like you must have made a wrong turn and left the pavement about two miles earlier and climbed the last two miles up to the summit on a dirt road (your map doesn't match the photos, so it must not be your actual track). If you'd stayed on the pavement it would have continued all the way to this point.

It also means you missed the route somehow. You're climbing to the summit on a hiking track rather than the paved road. That's really too bad. I don't doubt it was miserable.

Your face says it all even on the little screen. This will continue to be a good story day going forward but not so much fun while it is happening. Enjoy your rest day!

Different hiking routes have specifically coloured blazes to guide the walkers. This is one of them.