I was a bit late getting up this morning and by the time I arrived at the Col de Pause it was already 9.45. I wasn't sure of my fitness, as with the all the building and travelling I haven't had any big mountain days this year. Still, I decided to head off at a good pace and see how far I got.
I made Spain at the Port d'Aula in 1 hour 10 mins and after another 1 hour 30 mins I was back in France beneath Pic de la Pale de la Clauere, I was flying along! After a quick stop for food I made the summit just 3 hours 30 mins after leaving the Col de Pause - a personal record.
Etang Rond and Etang Long from below the summit
The last haul of zig-zags to the top
Glacier Arcouzan far below the summit
The summit
On the descent to the Col de Faustin I passed a young couple, the only people I saw all day outside of the Col de Pause. Vultures, Isard and Marmots were in abundance.
Two baby marmots quite oblivious of me, mum was long gone!
Isards
I decided to return by a different route and descended via the Couloir de Peyre Blanc to the Cabane d'Aula. 1200m (just short of 4000 feet) of knee jarring steep descent after which there's a cruel sting in the tail of another 400m (1300 feet) of ascent and descent to reach the Col de Pause once more.
Mont Valier on the right and Petit Valier to it's left. The final part of my ascent
followed the skyline left to right. My descent dropped steeply from the low
point left of Petit Valier all the way to the Cabane d'Aula visible bottom left.
It was a tough day and strangely a repeat of the first mountain trip I made when I first arrived at Quelebu. Then I thought I was pretty fit and it took 8 hours, this time 6 1/2 hours!! Not bad for over 2000m (6600 feet) of ascent - I'm tired but pleased.
A return to hot weather which should stay for at least the next week. Finally I have finished the first roof (except for a few finishes touches, the gutter and the cover flashing against the wall of original house). 
This morning I finished the insulation, lined out dormers and fitted the newel post. Then time for a break from building...god I needed it.
Last night a lovely meal at Alun and Breezy's. I've barely seen them this summer so it was good to catch up. Their place is really coming on...had to fight past the donkeys to get in though!
Another day of searing heat. Only smoke from the fires below Mont Valier have interrupted the azure sky.
Been so hot here I've had to wear an oven glove to touch the slates...I never thought I'd say it but I wish the hot weather would end now...I'd rather be slating in rain...in fact I've realised I really HATE slating. 
Cursing not going and buying a roof ladder today, but the first velux is in and some of the dormer leadwork too.
Rain all day today so have busied myself with laying and varnishing the bathroom floor, fitting the window ironmongery and boarding up the front door.
Despite the rain this afternoon, three out of four roofs are now battened out, including one of the gables. Still one more roof and a gable to go, but rain is forecast tomorrow, possibly bringing the first dusting of snow to the high mountains. Plenty of works to do inside.
90% of the cladding finished! Still some scribing in against the stone walls, the gable ends of the dormers and the barge boards to do. Time for a day off...a day in the mountains at last!!
Another hot still day had to find some shade to work in. Larch cladding progressing well - should finish it tomorrow.
A planned walk for tomorrow will have to wait until Thursday - I need to get provisions. Meantime I'll crack on with finding a door and cladding the extension.
