Friday 2nd August
Distance: 26km(476km), 1265m (4150ft) ascent, 1535m (5036ft) descent

The day was relatively mild and passing a regular sheep-filled field, one would think you would be safe from any danger passing these docile herbivores, and yet it was quite fraught. There are these dogs which are trained to be aggressive and protect the sheep and we have sighted many a warning sign, but naturally not thought much of them. And thus, passing the field, the dogs lept out of the foliage an began barking rather loudly – the Rudge clan then proceeded to leap over the wall into the next field and make a beeline for the path to safety. Besides the exquisite views and weather, the second most exciting occurrence of the day was our final ascent, a truly joyful experience. In the blistering heat of the day, we marched up what seemed to be a steep, never ending forest track. Naturally, this caused me to become rather distraught, but it was nothing a cereal bar and ready-salted almonds could not remedy. Arriving in Auron we collapsed into bed for a short snooze before going out to eat some chicken wings (a rare find) and a burger – yuhmm.