I had walked the GR10 from Hendaye to St Jean Pied de Pour in 2015 but this time I was doing it the other way. On route I had two days of heavy rain and a couple of squalls, which made the hiking so much harder. The section from St Etienne du Bagory to Biddaray was especially demanding, seem to take for ever! The really steep rocky paths were really scary in the wet, I fell 3 times, each time on my back but my rucksack cushioned me from any injury. I tried to be incredibly careful to know where I was placed every step, otherwise I could have been down in some deep crevasse somewhere and would have just become vulture lunch! The effort of concentrating was exhausting, especially when coming down, one down path really caused my toes to ache, I have two black toes now on each foot.
My Pacerpoles really came into their own, fantastic piece of kit, thanks Percy once again, for introducing me to them. I bought a really cheap pair of walking trousers from Decathlon, only £8, they were truly fantastic, comfortable, quick drying and so easy to wash. Brilliant! I bought one of their hiking shirts as well, total rubbish, when I perspired the material just stayed wet for so long, horrible item! I also bought a cheap pair of 'waterproof' boots from them, comfortable, light and easy to walk in yes, but waterproof no! And before I forget, two pairs of £4 each boxer underwear, one red, one blue, from the same shop, best I've ever walked in by a mile!
I used my poncho, it worked well (especially when trying to stay cool around the waist and underwear areas) but when in St Jean I saw a different kind of poncho. If I did not already have my Vaude I would have bought it. It was a long mac, with a hood, with an area to cover the rucksack with flares to each side so that big strides can be taken over rocks and streams and what seemed best of all, it buttoned all the way from top to bottom.
Last but not least at Bidderay because it was raining hard I had to pitch tent the wrong way around. Instead of inner first then waterproof outer second, I pitched waterproof outer first, then crawled under with my inner tent. Erecting it worked, but it the effort and the contortions I had to make made me perspire like crazy! It worked though and better than sleeping in a wet tent.