J50 – 2/5/2006

The sky was gray and Serge got ready as he does every morning by applying anti-chafing cream “Nok” made by Akileïne.  Nothing is left out: knees, feet, inside the thighs, even tits and armpits.  A few drops announced the deluge that accompanied us all day long.  It’s a shame because the road was lovely: a small track that went along the sea, where there were some superb views.  If the sun had been out it would have been paradisiacal.

For the first time, Serge was wearing waterproof clothing made by Mizuno.  After almost ten hours of running he was dry: tested and approved.  It’s great equipment so many thanks to Mizuno France and Europe.

From adventure to adventure, we were well on our way when disaster struck.  The very heavy camper got stuck in the mud.  The 4×4 wasn’t far and came to our rescue.  It pulled us out with surprising ease.

200 meters further on we joined the national road, the rain had turned to melted snow.  This bad weather had been predicted so we weren’t surprised.  Snow had also been predicted.

Serge advanced into the wind and snowy rain which was ice cold.  Night fell and he arrived frozen to the point where his left hand was paralyzed.  He hadn’t changed his gloves so they were soaked and his hands frozen.  The blood was no longer circulating and he had tears in his eyes when I undressed him.  It took a quarter of an hour for him to get feeling back in his petrified hand.

What a day!

                                                                       English translation by Lee Hecht