Week 1

Well after all the planning Saturday 21st July saw the boys start this mammoth task The information that we are getting is minimal because we are having to rely on text messages and they are not getting a signal everyday so we just have to be patient. For those of you who want to follow there progress myself Jackie (stewart's wife) and Ian will do our best. I have asked Stewart to send me better texts than normal as he is very good at one word messages and then I usually have to mind read so he has excelled himself this week I expect his fingers hurt as well as his feet!
Day 1 saw them start in a thunderstorm and the weather wasn't great the first 3 days. They managed to stay in a hotel day 2 and an auberge day 4 which enabled them to dry their clothes, have a good meal and a decent nights sleep. Day 4 it rained until 230pm and it was misty and cold but then sun came out that afternoon.
Day 6 and although they still on target they feel the timings in the book are a joke as they are walking 10 hour days and feel if they are to finish on time will have to walk on planned days off.
Derrick spoke to his family today and they said he is in good spirits but obviously missing his family.
Day 7 mist is closing in today. It had been scorching hot and they were drinking 5 litres of water each filling their camel backs from rivers, animal troughs and wells. Eating pasta and soup but managed a lunch in a restaurant. Day 8 the weather really bad today and they had to turn back and use a variant route described in book( their bible). Very tough going and walked for 11 hours. They met Bernard who has taken them to a refuge for the night with a few other walkers and they will all try again in the morning to reach Lescun.