Ups and Downs: 900 Kilometres on Foot Through the French Pyrenees

Matthew Bowmer walked the 900-kilometer Grande Randonnée 10 through the French Pyrenees in the summer of 2022, seeking an outdoor challenge and a change of scenery from his work life in London. The journey was filled with excitement and apprehension, as he navigated the landscape without a fixed plan, encountering various challenges and experiences. The book Ups and Downs reflects on his expedition, showcasing the geography, people, and events he encountered along the way, and delving into the bond that holds our lives together.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 28 January 2024
Publisher: Troubador Publishing

In the summer of 2022, Matthew Bowmer embarked on a transformative journey, setting off alone to walk the Grande Randonnée 10, a 900-kilometer footpath traversing the French Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The initial days revealed an extraordinary adventure ahead, as Bowmer navigated the rugged landscape, unsure of where he would find shelter each night. The uncertainty about the challenges he would face and the necessity to improvise on numerous occasions filled him with excitement and apprehension.

From the scorching heat of 40 degrees and a malfunctioning tent to sleeping under the stars and experiencing the Basque sport of pelota firsthand, the immersion in the surroundings offered a rich tapestry of gifts and challenges. This was merely a prelude to what lay ahead.

Ups and Downs is a captivating and insightful reflection of Matthew's expedition, offering a humorous account of the geography, people, events, and personal battles he encountered along the way. This book goes beyond mere travelogue, as Matthew Bowmer delves deep into the Pyrenean landscape, uncovering both the ordinary and the magnificent. He explores the very threads that connect our lives, revealing the profound connections that exist between us and our surroundings.

Andrew Kötting, in his foreword, praises Matthew Bowmer's excavation of the mundane and the magnificent, describing Ups and Downs as a treasure trove of exhilarating adventures. Having lived in the Pyrenees for over 35 years, Kötting recognizes the profound significance of this book, acknowledging it as more than just a journey through physical terrain.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805142119