Day 5 - Rest day in Bagneres de Luchon

There was an optional ride up another mountain today, but the gloomy skies made the decision to forego that pleasure extremely easy. My mission for today was recovery and stuffing as many calories as possible into my knackered body. It was lovely to have a relaxed breakfast with no need to get bags packed and body ready for pedalling.

After a very slow start, I went for a wander around the lovely historic spa town. It has a long association with the Tour de France, including this year.

This church was so silent, peaceful and beautiful.

It started raining so I decided a €20 3 course lunch was needed in a delightful bistrot.

Obviously this led to a ‘nap’, more of a 2 hour conk out. I then headed to the hotel spa, had a little swim, a jacuzzi and a stretch in the steam room so hopefully my body has forgiven me for the past two days.

I had dinner with 3 lovely chaps and we had a very entertaining evening eating a mountain of lasagne.

Tomorrow is another huge climbing day so onwards and upwards.

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