Weaker,Heavier .…or More Sensible ?

A beautiful start to the day, with a lovely blue sky,not a cloud in sight (although there was frost on the ground), especially when the sun hit Wally and everything warmed up

I was fortunate in that mass was to be held in Sazos, the village where I was today, so as I wandered up there for 9-30 a.m. mass, thought how peaceful everywhere is, and a great walk to church ! –I’d even put on my ‘Sunday best’.. although I did shrink at the request ( I think) to do one of the Readings ,in French ! I think I made the numbers up to …less that 10, in this beautiful old Roman Church, quite enjoyable singing Hymns and responses in French, although I did have my missal to understand the readings !

Then it was back to Wally, change, and on the road for some climbing..I travelled up towards Gavarnie, and just before there came to the Chaos de Coumely http://www.viaferrata-fr.net/via-ferrata-151-Chaos-de-Coum%E9ly-Gedre---Gavarnie-Hautes-Pyr%E9n%E9es.html for my first Via Ferratta of the year ..  which I wasn’t very successful at…I climbed up the cliff quite well, even overcoming a couple of overhanging sections – always my Nemesis – until I got to a quite exposed section, also overhanging, which I couldn’t get myself up and over, my arms pulling, without much strength…so ‘get out of it’ I decided, and retreated back down the route, looking up at what I’ve done before, and should have been able to, but couldn’t ..so wandered back along the river, to Wally, and then drove up to Gavarnie http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirque_de_Gavarnie and walked up to a viewpoint looking up at the famous ‘Cirque’ still ice/snow bound, fabulous…just wish I could climb it… ah well, maybe back again soon..dependent on the weather !

I then drove back to Luz St Saveur, for another Via Ferratta attempt http://www.viaferrata-fr.net/via-ferrata-74-Pont-Napol%E9on-Luz-St-Sauveur-Hautes-Pyr%E9n%E9es.html and as I walked down to the start point, looking up at the proper rock climbers above..thought ‘hope I can manage it ‘ !!  I had a look up what I had to do, and knowing there were more overhangs to overcome..I beat myself before i started !, although I did make a reasonable attempt.. getting almost 2/3 of the way up, and again my arms failing, I had to beat an ignominious retreat, with the ‘real climbers’ wondering what I was doing ! Still I’d tried it, and time to move on…and get back to Wally for some sunbathing …and pause…and wine !

2 attempts, no successes (not today).…still living though !!

So I’ll say a Goodnight..Bonne Nuit !