Day 75 - Balaguer - at the foot of the Pyrenees

I saw them today for the first time, the moutains, looming on the horizon as I cruised along the last few miles of this plain. I've spent a long time looking at the map for this next bit and been told many scary stories - the roads are full of lorries and very dangerous, not to mention choked with fumes, Andorra's a horrible place anyway - don't bother, you'll be going uphill for a long, long time. I like that last one, as if it was news to me that crossing the Pyrenees was going to involve going uphill.

I think I just need to get on with it now so tomorrow I head up into the foot hills, granny-gear at the ready.

Mountains aside, I am quite looking forward to getting back to France, for a number of reasons. Spain has been good - very good - but it's been long and, at times, seemed impossible. Crossing that border will be sweet. I am also meeting friends in France for a 4 or 5 day rest - the first familiar faces I will have seen for three months. And then of course there's the Super U.