Hi Squirepeter, By the time you get to the south of the path it will be starting to warm up - especially in Landes, where so many trees have been felled by storms. I began from Vezelay in early July (about a month behind Omar) and I found that I was very often the only one staying in the Refuges. It took me nearly a month to remember to organise the refuges for the weekend. Often you pick the key up form the Marie, and so you need to have this organised before they close on a Friday night. I was fortunate in that I mangaed to find someone, who knew someone, and could chase them up on my behalf so that I could gain access, however after this happened a few times I tried to remember to organise it ahead of time on the Friday. Mme Chaussain's guide is excellent, and she was in the office to greet me when I called there on my way through Vezelay.
I have only just got onto the forum, my computer doesn't like it these days, and so my visits are rare - PM if you want more info. Regards, Janet