66 and 100 Not Out

Orpiérre - cruising classics on deserted cliffs

From the Maurienne Valley (we will be returning there sooner rather than later) we headed back to Orpierre, we spent a couple of weeks there last autumn, and the place was so busy as to to be really unpleasant. We arrive on a Saturday - my 66th birthday - everywhere was shut so I had a lovely sandwhich for my evening meal.
This time round the whole area was much more how we like it - we were virtually the only people on the campsite and the cliffs were so much quieter that the climbing was a really pleasure.
I noticed towards the end of the week that I had done 100 routes since we left the UK on the 1st of the month - that isn't something that happens very often.
Then it was the long drive back the Ariège - Chez Arran was busy as everyone was getting ready to go off on trips away. We noticed that White Cat had a large swelling on her neck that was obviously causing her a lot of discomfort, so 08:30 Monday morning we were back at the vets almost a year since were there to get her ears sorted.

White Cat after 'Operation Abscess'

The vet was very matter-of-fact and when we picked WC up at 4:00 the change in her demeanour was great to see - all three of us slept much better that night.
Graham and Helen Parkes have arrived for a quick weeks climbing and relaxation - the weather has started a bit mixed but the forecast is great - my plan is to use his superior climbing ability to get dragged up as many routes that I haven't done before as possible - all systems are GO!