#7Countries7Passes Day 11 - Alps to Provence - Col de l'Homme Mort

I left my little wild camp at the side of the river Durance this morning, as the sun rose over the Haute Alps, and cast that magical lighting.

The decent down through the valley was chilly, but fast. I stopped briefly in a patisserie in Embrum, to grab a pain au raisin.

The first roads of the day were main B-roads for the most part, but before long I was taken onto quieter lanes.

At around mid-day, just as I was thinking it was time for another fuel stop, I came down with some horrendous stomach cramps. I am not sure of the cause, but suspect either a dodgy village water tap, or some dodgy road-side fruit. Either way, it slowed me to a crawl.

Sat in the next village, I force fed myself plain baguette and water. Eventually the cramps seemed to decrease, and I got back on the road.

Progress was slow, and the Col de l'Homme Mort seemed like an appropriate climb to be doing this afternoon (it translates as the mountain of the dead man).

By late afternoon though, I had reached Salut, near the foot of Mont Ventoux. Stood contemplating how glad I was that I had decided not to include that climb on this trip in the end, I ate a huge meringue to give me a sugar boost up the final col of the day.

At about 20:45 I eventually set up camp in a deserted apple orchard.

A long day, but fortunately still on track.