For our explorer belt expedition we will be doing a 10 day expedition through the Pyrenees in France. On this journey we will complete a range of projects, our major project will be creating a story book of the expedition featuring our mascots. As well as 10 minor projects such as swapping a necker with other scouts, learning about local history and trying a local delicacy!
Our First day is complete. After being delayed in the airport and missing the bus. We’ve managed to reach our hostel in Lourdes (Hôtel Sainte Rose). Lourdes is a picturesque town full of religious and spiritual people. We had the pleasure of listening some peaceful choir music and watching a small parade of people holding decorative candles. What a beautiful site to behold.
After a warm meal and a few laughs at the Au Pêché Mignon we have retreated for the night looking forward to what tomorrow brings for us.
Day 2 Complete
After a true French Breakfast we geared up with our waterproofs and walked through the rain to locate some gas as well as food to last us the first 3 days of our 10 day expedition.
We got to see a different side of Lourdes (a less touristy side). But all is well and an amazing day. After a group meeting and splitting up the food we found a small cafe (Café Royal) and had an outstanding lunch. We met a group, who were on a week long pilgrimage and along their way supporting the homeless and disabled community.
To finish off the day we watched the Marian torchlight processions. Listening to some of the best hymns and sermons. We got to experience some people releasing their candles into the sky representing the light of the world always shines.
Setting off from Lourdes today and venturing into the unknown territory that is the Pyrenees. We caught the bus and arrived in Argelès-Gazos. After a sandwich, drink and rest we set off on a trial and found out that our intended campsite was closed. We decided to hike further and wildcamp near the footpath. We have enjoyed a great tea of pasta and bacon. Having an early night and off early in the morning to our next destination.
After a rough night on rocks and sticks we packed up camp and enjoyed a warm breakfast of porridge. We then set off through the mountains, hiking through the clouds not being able to see the beautiful scenery below us. We fell over and we laughed through the rain and cold. Once the rain had stopped and we reach half way we stopped for some dinner (wraps with cheese or chocolate spread or both) with the cows. They didn’t like us in there field. We continued through the wet and rough terrain until we reached the campsite. We we’re all thrille. After pitching up the tents we had our tea (pasta and churitso). We located showers. We’ve all had warm showers now in bed looking forward to what tomorrow brings for us.
Waking up to a site like this seams unreal. After a warm brunch of crepes from the campsites cafe we did some washing (catching up). Then we took a strole by the lake. As the weather was warm we had a dip in the river. After what felt like hours had gone by we had an early tea and played a few games of chase the ace. As the clouds started to cover the surrounding mountains we went back to the lake to discuss the next few days of our expedition. Ending the evening with laughs and an early night.
Due to medical issues the team has had to split up today. One team continued up the mountains from lac d’estaing and is camping in the Refuge d’Ilheou for the night and will rejoin the other team in Cauterets tomorrow morning. Meanwhile the other team took public transport to Lourdes and from there a coach to Cauterets and did a small hike around the town in order to meet the requirements of the Award and ticking off some of our minor challenges. Both teams will sleep well this evening and we are looking forward to reuniting tomorrow and taking the next steps to our journey.
The team reunited this morning at the bus station in Cauterets. After they had climbed down the mountain from the Refuge d’Ilheou while the other group explored more of the town Cauterets by looking around the museum and the tourist centre. Once on the bus and changing buses we arrived in Luz-Saint-Sauveur. After pitching up the tents at Camping Le Bergons we set off to explore the local area. We enjoyed an outstanding meal at La Terrasse as we had ran out of our food. Tomorrow is another day of exploring the in and outs of this remote town as well as restocking on some of the essentials for the next few days.
After waking up a little late this morning we had our daily share of porridge with a morning shower while getting to know to people around the campsite. With our day rucksacks ready we found a small shop and bought a small picnic and hiked up to the Château Sainte-Marie Esterre where we could see for miles. Once full from lunch we explored more of the castle and its surrounding. When it came to leave we found a larger supermarket where we decided to buy different kinds of meat for a BBQ. During the meal we danced the night away, played cards, talked to some English campers and even made contact with a Barnsley Scout Group. They asked us a range of questions and we were more than happy to share our experience so far. Once the evening began to draw in we took an evening stroll through the maze that is the different streets. Now we are settling into bed. Night everyone
Waking up to a clear blue sky this morning we decided to change things up for breakfast and treat ourselves to scrambled eggs on the trangia and croissants. We took ourselves to the town centre to explore the open shops (finally open) and had an the best idea to get matching hats in rainbow colour. Now introducing the Rainbow gang. We got the opportunity to buy some souvenirs to remember this experience as well as this amazing place. We found a Church of the Templars (Église des Templiers) nestled away from the busy town centre. The church itself was small but that’s what made it special and unique as we had never seen anything like it. After this we went back to camp to play some more cards changing the games up a bit from chase the ace to sevens. We ended the evening with hot dogs for tea and a few games of ping pong. We definitely needed the practice. Night everyone.
What an amazing day. Today we celebrated a team members 20th birthday. We started the day with scrambled eggs and crepes (keeping it interesting) as well as some rainy weather. But as the sky’s started to clear we took a hike around the town and along the way stopping at local beauty spots to admire the tiny creatures and the what the towns people call home. We climbed up some steep hills to capture some gorgeous sights looking to the distance. After the hike we went to a local restaurant to celebrate Charlotte’s birthday in true French style with a classic French cake, music and food. Tomorrow we leave this stunning town for another stretch of the expedition. Can’t believe it’s almost over.
We have left the beautiful town of Luz-Saint-Sauveur and caught two buses and a train to the city of Pau. After a warm dinner at a local cafe outside the station we walked to our accommodation. For the next few days we are staying in a Scout Leaders back garden and will be staying with her family until we leave. Once set up we bought some hot dogs and bread rolls for our tea. When we finished and tidied up we met up with another local Scout Leader (Alex), who gave us a private tour of the city at night. He showed us the artistic and historical side of the city visiting churches, a Château and a museum. Learing that this city is famous for so many reasons making it unique amongst other famous city’s in France. Ending the evening debating over the English and the French food (oops)
Night everyone we will sleep well this evening x
Yesterday after a warm breakfast we packed our day rucksacks and explored the touristy side to Pau. We went in two groups to see more of the sights and the culture of the city. We found and bought some badges to sew on our camp blankets and found some stunning churches to feel at peace. Once we had found a place for dinner we met up again at the local supermarket to finish off the last few minor challenges of the award. The challenge was to cook an English meal for the locals. We chose to cook a traditional Cottage Pie along with a Victoria Sponge for the family we are staying with and a few Scout Leaders. The meal and dessert was a success and it was a pleasure to meet some of the Scout Leaders of Pau.
Our last day in Pau and what a way to say goodbye than to meet some of its members of world wide scouting (Pau Scouts). We were given a warm welcome by the leaders we had met last night as well as a lot of new faces both adult and young but more than welcoming all the same. We participated in there yearly moving up ceremony. This is where the Scout Group move to the next section and are given there new uniform. We learned a few of there songs and dances that they traditionally do at these meetings and tried some of there favourite foods. After this we taught them the classics songs and games that we were taught at there age. For example, we sang Alice the camel getting the scouts involved as the humps, the campfire is burning and playing the game ladders. We swapped some neckers and leaned that instead of trading neckers they cut a bit off, swap pieces and sew them onto the new neckers making them even more unique and one of a kind. As the time for us to leave drew nearer Alex and a few of there explores taught us a group dance. We got so confused but still had a go having the best time. It was a pleasure and honor to meet them and they will not be forgotten. We caught the train from Pau back to Lourdes and we are staying at our original location that we started this expedition at almost 2 weeks ago. Where has the time gone. Once checked in and we dropped our bags off we went for a well deserved meal at a local restaurant. Now with a warm shower and comfy bed (at last) we will sleep like very well tonight.
WE DID IT…
Our last day in France. This morning we finished packing our bags and after checking out of the hostel we went to our favourite place the Crepes Shop. Then we walked to the train station for our bus to the airport. Once we arrived we had our debrief for the expedition (what went well and what we could have done better et). Once checked in and on the plane. We were off leaving this amazing country for our homes. After touch down we got our bags and went for the car park where we said our goodbyes but we will see each other again. We’ve had the best 2 weeks.
