We got up early and headed into the village of St. Saturnin-les-Apt to catch their market day. Most of the vendors were still setting up but we got a good look at almost everything. Picked up some bread for lunch and a copy of l'Equipe, the daily French sports newspaper. Took some pix, wrote & mailed our last batch of postcards, and got back to Le Mas Perreal in time for our 9:00 am breakfast which was delicious.
Our drive to the Pyrenees, 525 km, took almost six hours with a few potty stops. We checked into the Hotel d'Angleterre around 4 pm and were warmly greeted (two cheek kiss)by Mme. Aubiban, the owner.
We then drove south to Saint Lary-Soulan, a ski resort 12 km south of Arreau, to pick up my rental bike, a Gitane! We've driven to St. Lary many times over the previous four trips here, but we still got lost; we were paying too much attention to the schlugge, the Tour followers who move from stage to stage in RV's. This area has never seemed so alive with Tour anticipation!
We returned to our hotel, didn't get lost, and then unpacked thoroughly since we will be here for five nights. Dinner at the hotel was its usual outstanding level of quality.
All in all the town seemed much livelier than usual; clearly the Tour was impacting Arreau. I was excited to see that our hotel was filled with Aussies, who are all on a bike tour. They were very quiet tonight; hopefully they get more spirited tomorrow.
Mogens predicts that the outcome of the Tour will be decided in the next couple of days. If he's right, then you're in the place to be! Enjoy!
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