Refuge Orisson (80€, dp inc. lunch)
We decide to have a short hiking day and stay at Orisson (half way up the mountains) rather than make the whole, arduous Pyrenees crossing in a single day. The good news: Beautiful weather, and the hike out of St. Jean and up the hill is spectacular. The bad news: I’ve again been waylaid by bedbugs! This is confirmed by a gite owner at Hunto, when we stop for coffee. Lots of photo taking; it’s a grand ascent. We reach Orisson at 12:00 PM. Good lunch there… soup and salami sandwiches. We loll around all afternoon reading and just hanging out. We share a tiny but pleasant room with two women from Germany. They both speak English and are so nice. Dinner is at 6:30 at long tables with lots of pilgrims… wonderful soup, roast lamb with white beans, gateau Basque. Delicious!
