St Lizier d'Ustou to Aulus les Bains 7miles
Time to explain the silence of the last 24 hours. On the face of it we
expected this stage to be tough but probably slightly easier than the
previous one - only 7 miles, slightly less ascent and no obvious
excessively steep slopes. All went really well, if slow at times due
to the gradient of climb and some fallen trees early on as well as the
kind of rocky terrain that had slowed Graham and me one day during the
first week. We passed some spectacular water features as well as a
really pretty ski resort. The downfall, literally, came on a
moderately straight-forward part of the descent just 3 km from Aulus
les Bains. I caught my foot under a tree root and fallen hard and
awkwardly and it wouldn't bear any weight. Suffice to say, for now,
that Ben made a heroic descent of the remaining woodland, littered
with trees, and alerted the emergency services with help from James at
home while I unpacked all my warm clothes and turkey blanket and
wrapped myself up while I waited for someone to return. There was only
feeble and very occasional mobile reception, so next to useless. Ben
left me just before 7pm. The helicopter arrived just before 10.
I now have a plaster on my ankle and am with Ben in a hotel at
Toulouse airport ready to fly back tomorrow, disappointed to be
leaving 3 weeks of unfinished business but so glad that this happened
when ben was walking with me rather than being alone, and that i was
lucky enough to have the five weeks I've had before I was stopped in
my tracks.
More later but it's time to crash out now. Walking on crutches is just
sooo tiring.
Kit
ReplyDeleteThis my second attempt to leave a comment - so if you have seen this before - sorry.
Graham rang yesterday to report the News. I am so very sorry. But he said you sounded perky: if not plastered.
I wish you a safe trip back today.
Graham is very upset because he says he has not finished his 'to do' list: or was that started the 'to do' list?
So glad Ben was a Hero with James back in UK. That must have been a dreadful 3 hours from 7 to 10. You are a courageous lady.
At least the end came early through no fault of yours after such detailed planning and training and execution. Just Mother Nature charging a fee for all the joy you have had out of her over the last five weeks or so. So unfair.
We have friends coming for the weekend, leaving Tuesday, so will be in touch after they have gone - or earlier if we can.
Be patient (a good patient) in your recovery.
It was a tremendous effort and a great accomplishment: well done.
Bill & Liz