Poor night again …this time cannot blame the food as I cooked it I’m my caravan, it’s my hurting body.

Back bad or worse, than before took strong anti inflammatory & painkillers.

Up slowly cannot ride, booked another night reduced price €10 thankyou.

Walked into beach with my camera this time seeking some different images.

Familiar route, bike’s & scooters passing me too close.

Bastile Day French military euro fighter jet, doing fly over the ocean wow very impressive, what a noise as well. Barrel rolls and acrobatics.

Walked to Working fishing port. Saw a huge motor boat, must have been 40-50 metres long. So big it had a rubber ducky and two jet skis on the rear.

The chef had prepared lunch and red wine was being aired, took some subtle images, how the other half live!

Walking past the working fishing jetty got chatting with a Tuna fisherman using google translate. They used longline 1.8 km, 700 hooks 18-40 kg average fish. Fishes 1-3 times a week, we had some laughs and fun over the translation but we communicated.

Every fish caught must cut & leave hook in mouth to prove line caught tuna so after ever fish long job of replacing hooks.

Tried hand at replacing a hook on line so strong can pull a car with it … quite a few to replace…180 x 3 !!!

Walked away, brief shop, returned to give his daughter one of my clip on koalas! Nice.

Walked back after beer & nuts, nano nap in ice cold air con.

Shop Lidl very hot 🔥 40 deg + forecast all France, may stay another night back depending.

Otherwise it’s a hasty retreat to again a welcoming Bagneres de Bigorre (Claire enquiries re my return).

See texts … hard to admit but back & body simply not up long days in the saddle…

..ck comes to mind or stronger language, gradually not easily coming to terms with the fact that this is not going to be the trip I had planned for my long service leave.

Reflecting with Liz in a later call not just my back but the extreme heat wave and forest fires also paid their part.

One can do all the right gear, paperwork, insurance, bike and mental preparation however one must not forget the physical preparation. That’s one big harsh lesson for this old boy and old body.

Another topic for adventure rider radio perhaps dealing with disappointment… or cancelled trip or injuries… it has gone through my mind that perhaps this is it for riding for me … time will tell many have told me that backs can take months to rehab, time I simply do not have …

Meanwhile back to my cold beer as it’s 38 degrees 🍺 in Mane…considering my next move …