The Pyrenees

 It’s another hot day for our journey from Albarracin to the Pyrenees: 34C in the shade. We arrived mid-afternoon at our destination campsite, Camping Gavin, and chose a terraced pitch overlooking the foothills. The sound of cowbells drifted up from the valley. All very pleasant, as the photo shows.

The cowbells carried on into the evening, at a volume which would indicate a large herd just outside the campsite boundary several terraces below.  Still pleasant, yes; too loud, yes; conducive to sleep, no. We decided to investigate the following morning, and took the footpath to the village that ran just outside the camp boundary where surely we must pass the cowbell culprits. The path is an ancient track and very atmospheric.

However, we didn’t see any cows although we could hear them through the undergrowth. We carried on to the village, of solid stone construction to protect against the mountain elements. Flimsy coastal tourist condos just wouldn’t survive here.

We stopped for a reliably tasty and cheap coffee in the village. Jane’s trying to hide behind one of the umbrella poles where we were sitting.

We took a different route back to the campsite as we were determined to flush out the source of the cowbells. And here they are, only 20 to 30 happy cows vigorously chomping on the lush grass of this small meadow. Nothing like the large herd we were expecting. It’s a just a pity the bells aren’t tuned to harmonise so the cows could be trained to play, say, “Viva España” or “Ding Dong Merrily on High”.

The following day we went into the high Pyrenees at Ordesa National Park. Here’s the dramatic approach. There is snow, but not much on the vertical rock surfaces.

The tourist centre for the park is village of Torla, even more solidly set in stone than our village near the campsite.

We came across lots of serious walkers doing steep trails, but we opted for a more gentle river walk.

The river was a fast-flowing green/blue colour, perhaps from recent snow melt following the sudden high temperatures (34C again today). The old bridge we next came to was the perfect vantage point to observe the rushing current.

Downstream, we saw this group of kayakers preparing to take on the white water as it flows through  a gorge.

A close-up shows how skilful these folks were, as these were boiling rapids. So here goes!

We have had an enjoyable but hot few days in the mountains, and now we go to the village of La Romieu in France.