Day 4, July 15

Can't believe this is our 4th day already!

Today was another Tour watching day, so immediately after breakfast we left the hotel and headed out.

But, today the Tour was going through Arreau, and up the Col d'Aspin, so we didn't drive at all, we just hiked about 4 km up toward the Col.  We've watched the Tour along this route for several years.  The first year we walked all the way up to the top of the Col, 13 km, and I don't think my toes have ever recovered from that hike.

So  now, our prime concerns were a viewing spot that was shaded, that had enough flat area  for our chairs and table, for a spot where you could see the riders from a distance, and lastly a spot where you can see the riders for several hundered yards before they pass you.

We found such a spot, arriving their around 10:30 AM.  I'd show you a picture of this wonderful spot, but in the words of Roberto di Vicenzio, who was disqualfied after he won the Masters for signing an incorrect score card, "what a stupid I am." 

When I got out my camera to start taking pictures I got the message that I needed to insert my "memory card"!  My memory card was in our hotel room, I never reinsterted it in the camera after transferring my photos for day onto my iPad.  It was too far and too hot to hike back to our room to get the card, so I asked several of the people around us, especially the Australians, if anyone had a spare memory card, but alas no one did.  No big deal, I'd actually discussed with Joni the idea of not taking pictures of the racers, and just concentrating on watching them as they go by so fast so I was going to experience that "Tour Viewing" variation.  

It wasn't bad.

We had about 5 hours to wait before the riders actually arrived, but the time went quickly, as we just enjoyed the constant parade of Tour Watchers who hiked and rode past us.

The riders arrived around 3 PM.  There was a group of 7 riders in the lead, followed by two single riders each about 1 1/2 minutes behind the leaders, and finally the peloton, which included the  yellow jersery  wearer, Chris Froome, and all his key challengers.  A few others were just a minute or two behind the peloton, so the realty was that within 10 minutes, our race viewing was over.

But, out viewing spot was outstanding, with the riders  passing with inches of our faces.  We could smell them and see their sweat...yes  it was very, very hot.

We hiked down the mountain and were at our hotel room by 4:30 pm.  I went for a wonderfully refreshing swim in the pool and Joni went souvenir hunting in downtown Arreau.

She was back in our room by 5:30, we headed down to the lounge in the hotel to plot out our drive for Thursday's Tour viewing, and I enjoyed a beer before we headed out for dinner.

Rather than have our typical dinner at the hotel, we drove about 10 km to the south to the town of Saint Lary Soulan, and dined at the restaurant where the chef is the son/brother of the Aubibon family whoown the Hotel d'Angleterre.  The hotel promotes this restaurant and we wanted to go there for the past 8 years,  so we finally did, and it was outstanding.

Of course we had all the courses, this time including cheese, dessert, and coffee.

And if you haven't figured it out,  I usually end up writing this blog after we've consumed a full bottle of a delicious French wine.  So please excuse any typos or other errors...I'm not cutting back on the wine.