Gerdes .......... eventually 😊

Got up this morning to another lovely day - blue sky and warmth but there was a touch of frost on the skylight above our bed early doors. I can only apologise for the excellent weather as it sounds like a bit of a mare at home - keep warm and keep safe folks. We paid 16€ for the night and once I’d cooked our breakfast, I decided to go and have a shower. Checked with the beloved and, yes, one section of the washrooms were up and running - so I’m good to go. Equipped with towels, lotions and potions off I toddle in my PJ’s and dressing gown. The shower block was completely empty and nice and warm. So I choose my cubicle and off I go. Now like most people I have my little ways of organising myself when in public showers, so the soap, shampoo and conditioner (arranged in that order) go on the little shelf this side of the shower - I can then pop my hand back to said shelf and pick up what I want when I want it as I operate the shower - which you keep having to pump otherwise the water stops after 10 to 15 seconds. Big towel on the big hook, little towel on the little hook. Strip off and throw those bits over the shower door - you only get two hooks guys. So standing well back from the shower and reaching my hand to the big silver button, and push hard to start - no go - OK another push of the button, harder this time. One sodding drip comes out the spout and nothing is happening - OK. Now I pop on the old dressing gown and go the the next cubI Le - nothing, nada, zilch. Are you getting the idea now? So next cubicle and the next .......... over to the sinks - there is no water! Only took me a while. So I make myself decent and plod back to the van - en route I see a little Frenchman on his hands and knees in front of two large holes on a patch of grass outside the washrooms possibly issuing a few expletives. It is confirmed - we have no washrooms and they aren’t going to be working any time soon. Never mind, this decides us to get cracking and move onto another campsite very close to this one and it is all singing, all dancing facilities. Off we toddle in short shrift to the next location. Campon was its name (very appropriate) - oh dear - closed again - I have to tell you dear reader, when we check these sites online, on our apps and in our Aires books they all confirm they are open all year!!! I have to say, we have been very lucky on our trip so far so this was a bit of a surprise. Never mind, off we go to the next site and, yes, you’re getting the idea CLOSED. Now by this time, it is very hot, I’m hot, Alan’s hot, the dogs hot - sorry, I know how cold you all are. Anyway we follow the River Gave - that River travels a very long way and it’s very beautiful, so seeing that beside you as you travel along is no hardship. The mountains surround us as we go further into the Pyrenees. However, the roads on the map are starting to look more and more twisty and, if any of you have ever undertaken twisting mountain roads to travel in any kind of vehicle, it’s ok for the driver, but not so great for the passenger and in particular her tummy which can be prone to travel sickness in certain situations. So we turn and go back on ourselves and cross the River Gave and head for Gerde - BINGO - a campsite, all singing, all dancing and it has all the facilities one could wish for. Alan checked them out when we arrived. We had to wait til 3 for the receptionist to return from lunch. Paid our 16€ and bobs your uncle. First thing I do, pick up all my shower gear, ready and waiting from this morning and toddle my way to the shower block .......... where I was met by the receptionist, to tell me in broken English that there is no water ......... but only for an hour. Panic over - my man made us a lovely salad and barbecue supper and we sat in the sun enjoying the surroundings here - we will stay another night and we are going to walk into town in the morning to see what there is to see. So another adventure to come. Nighty night