Roll with the dice

Day 33 Saturday 29th May
Argien to Esbints 9 miles and a taxi ride
In spite of things not going to plan it's been a really enjoyable day.
Overnight was fine and the morning clouds disappeared almost like
magic during the first hour of walking. Audressein was a pretty
village and the walk from there to castillon was lovely, along some GR
path or orner. Not sure which. I popped onto the Tourist Office to
check out accommodation options. Just as well. My planned stop for the
night, about 6km further on, no longer functioned and the next one was
the one I'd planned for tomorrow. Even then it would have been >11
miles and almost 1000 of ascent. That would have made a completely
inrealistix day but I didn't really want to stop at midday and even
then have 15 miles to so tomorrow. So, I hopped into a taxi up to Lac
de Bethmale and walked from there - a much more realistic option. So,
here I am at the Gite d'etape at Esbints one day early. The most basic
one so far (one loo out the back and one rather beaten up shower) but
it has a rustic charm and is clean. And there are lambs and puppies to
play with.
The walk itself has been great. Some road but not too much, GR10 not
too cluttered with trees and some lovely views and villages. And I saw
another couple of deer. Haven't seen a brown bear yet though. Not sure
if I'm glad or disappointed.
Tomorrow is a very easy day - just 5 miles or so down into Seix. And
then I will have a touristy day in St Girons on Monday while I wait
for Ben to arrive. What could be better than that?