Izeste to Maubourguet

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Izeste to Maubourguet

Motorhome Journey – Izeste to Maubourguet

Today is the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the flying of the two aircraft into the north and south/twin towers in New York.

We reflect on the events of 9-11 25 years ago, remembering that day clearly as we were travelling the canyons in Arizona and Utah with little access to national/international news. We left about 6.00am, driving for two or three hours to our next place, arriving at Ruby’s Inn, Bryce Canyon for breakfast. As we sat and waited for breakfast we heard two men discussing the grounding of every aircraft in the US. Nothing flying, nothing in the air… whatever had happened? We soon found out, it was hard to believe and take in, but it had really happened and the world knew soon enough. Flying changed for the worse you now have despots telling you what to do in every airport, we have abandoned flying, Hymer takes us where we want to go, no waiting in lines and being shouted at for us.

After breakfast we spend a relaxing morning sat outside by the river. This is an idyllic spot and we have some discussion about whether to stay or to go. In the end we decide to drive on. Leaving Izeste and calling at Au Brin De Blé Boulangerie on the way out we take D-934 north through Rebenacq to Gan. Mr C buys a huge almond Viennese pastry that he consumes with morning coffee, reporting that it was delicious. (photo below); there is also a dog toilet area opposite the boulangerie, something neither of us has ever seen previously in France. Here we turn onto N-134, a good quality road to Pau, around the ring road and onto D-933 to Morlaàs. North of Morlaàs at St Jammes we D-7 east across country, through Gabaston and Baleix to D-202. We follow this road north through Montségur to Lahitte-Toupière, then D-943 again to the town of Maubourguet. We turn right alongside the River Échez find the Campingcar-Park site on the right. Seeing the familiar entrance with its green pillar, we turn in and register using the CampingCar park App (€15.77/night).

There is no one else here, first to arrive so we have first pick of the pitches. There are 14 well-marked pitches each with hook-up, the rest of the site is under trees with a number of shared hook-up pillars. In view of the heat, we find a pitch that is level with good shade under the trees, well away from the entrance and near the rugby field, hook-up to the electric and stop! It is 5.00pm so explore the site then walk back to the main road and find the main shopping street. Here we wander along looking at the shops, find a Spar and buy a few groceries, as he has an excellent selection of local cheeses, we buy a good-sized wedge of Brebis sheep cheese and some strong Compte. Walking further we find a launderette, so taking the few shopping items back to Hymer, we collect the clothes and towels from the past two weeks (and a laundry sachet) and Mr C. walks back. One wash load costs €4.50, pay by card, so he does and reads his book while it washes, then when finished transfers it to the dryer (2 x €1.40). Folding it into the bag we walk back to Hymer, where we spread the clothes out to air in the sunshine.

It is pleasantly hot and sunny so sit outside and drink our wine; the trees are thick enough to make excellent shade and, with an air temperature of 27°C it feels refreshingly cool. Later after cooking cheese and ham omelette for tea, two more mohos arrive, one parking at the furthest corner from us and the other a couple of spaces away! We count about 39 spaces at Maubourguet, just three of us overnight.

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