Into Each Life, A Little Rain Must Fall.

...and over the past 2 days we've got pretty wet in more ways than one.

Elly has yet another fuel leak.....

Our choice of campsite last night (Monday) could've been better but we had little choice after a long and extremely enjoyable day out. The tracks had been quite mixed and, at times, very challenging for navigation, driving technique and potential mechanical damage to the truck and contents. We appeared to have made it through despite, during the morning, some extremely "knarley" tracks that we've only experienced the like of in Morocco. The difference here is that they're inclined at 1 in 7 to the horizontal. This doesn't sound much but it's quite a climb when combined with hairpin bends and a surface made up of 12 inch boulders with sharp edges. Unfortunately the photos don't tell the whole rattling story, but here's a few anyway.

Generally only wide enough for one vehicle we were glad that no-one was doing The Book in reverse!

 The views, once the trees thinned out, were stupendous but not really apparent here as it was still quite hazy as the mist and fog from the overnight rain burnt off. Quite often the drop from the track on the "outside" was vertical although it was masked by the vegetation. This,as far as Sue was concerned, was A Good Thing since we sometimes only had about 2 feet of clear road to work with.

One or two bits needed a little more care than others, but generally the going was straightforward even if, at times, we were worried about our tooth fillings. The vibration and general thumping and banging went on all day despite us only doing about 10mph at best. I don't think I've ever spent quite so much time in Low box and 3rd gear.

Eventually the track became a little smoother as we reached the meadows and pastures of the higher cols. We had lunch at a very respectable bistro at the "top" of the route:

The Management had thoughfully provided comfortable seating and even set the fire. This was a refuge similar to the mountain bothies back home, but without the usual rats and graffiti.

At over 6000 feet the air was quite definitely thinner.....sorry, running out of battery...more tomorrow.