The Hautes Pyrenees

Travelled: 120 km

Stay: Campan free Aire parking and services N43°01.099' E0°10.687' / 43.01845, 0.17801 

When will it ever stop raining? We can't seem to escape it. We were so looking forward to the Pyrenees.. The beautiful snow capped mountains, lovely valleys and walks. Oh well... It will have to wait for another time. But we did try. This morning we drove up to Cauterets, a popular ski resort town and then onto Pont d'Espagne, one of the Great Tourists Sites. Along the way we noticed the rivers where swollen and running fast. They looked quite impressive.The meteo had weather warnings out for this region due to heavy rain and as there is only one road back down to the valley, we didn't want to be trapped here for who knows how long. Lucky we took the decision to come back down, as on our way some roads were closed due to the river having broken its banks and flooded the road. Unfortunately, one if the roads closed was the one to Gavarnie (another Great Tourist Site). So after lunch in Lourdes we decided to approach Gavarnie from Bagneres-de-Bigorre. Unfortunately we were informed that we could not get to Gavarnie as the Col du Tourmalet was closed, possibly for another 8 to 10 days!!! We had also planned to go up the  Pic du Midi, that at 2879m altitude, is meant to offer spectacular views. Of course this is also closed due to the terrible weather. How disappointing. So now we wait out the storm in an Aire in the little village of Campan. Who knows what tomorrow may bring? Unfortunately the meteo forecasts rain until Friday! Plan B it will have to be. Later we read in the news that pilgrims had to be evacuated from Lourdes Sanctuary due the river flooding it. Lucky we visited it yesterday.