Spain - Day 10: Candanchu to Sallent de Gallego

The Hostel

Candanchu

We woke to the sound of thunder and the flash of lightning. Looked out of the window and decided that we would have a rest day. So our day ahead of plan status didn't last very long.

 It rained most of the day so a wise move. And we had the promised day of rest and recuperation. These rest days are important for body and mind.

The guy running the hostel was great. The place itself other than the size of the bathroom was perfect ;-)

Anyway, the next day...

We set off in the morning down the road - to the Mountains that were waiting on the other side of the valley. Once we crossed the road we saw a small group of Chamois . Too far away for a good picture. The big boss was  perched on top of a big rock outcrop watching his harem very carefully. Proper cameras are too big and heavy for us to carry - so phones only.

He obviously like to pose because other than the wires the positioning was almost perfect.

Anglase Chimney

The book had promised a bit of industrial archaeology in the form of an old chimney dating back to the 16th century mining of copper, iron and silver. They also made buttons and combs for cross border travellers. I guess the French were also fashionable back then

Our world has definitely changed. We are in the Pyrenees - not just looking at views of the Pyrenees - the weather still recovering from the big storm but warm and dry.

River crossing and rocks

Today is 23km and 900m climbing and 1200m descent. A day that promises to be hard. But these figures don't really tell you how what to expect.

The estimated walking time is 6 hours and 35 minutes. And given that we 'rest' for about half as long as we have to walk. So a ten hour day.

But hey - enjoy the views. That's why we're here.

Blonde and tanned

A nice surprise, Pyrenean horses. Stand offish but very pretty. Just wondering lonely, as clouds, so to speak. What their ultimate destination is we don't know - and don't want to. But there were hundreds of them scattered around the mountains.


Finally, we reached the promised lake. Whilst beautiful - it was cold and windy and the fog.  Our oh so innocent dreams of swimming in the mountain lakes to get relief from the heat were lets say - well and truly dashed.

Homeless child

Ibon d'Anayet

While the fog made the lake look pretty it promised to obscure the view of the day. The most photographed mountain in the Pyrenees, allegedly.  It's in France of course but we were in Spain and had to do what we could.

We had to wait 20 minutes to get a picture of the Pic du Midi. Looking at the result - it wasn't worth it. No disrespect France.

Pic du Midi d'Ossau

An odd smell

We trudged along the "ugly f--king' road. I didn't know that my wife new such language. But, it appears, from what she was saying that apparently even the mountains are not beautiful either, when viewed from an 'ugly f-----g road'. She wasn't a happy camper. But we did change to trainers so it would be more comfortable. 

We walked along the road to Formigal, a beautiful if very modern ski resort. Looked for a room at the inn. But it must be Christmas, as there is no room at the inn. There is a music festival a bit down the valley and the whole world is here festivalling.

We walk, more road. A more pissed off wife. Shitty roads and consequently shitty views of shitty mountains. Don't mention the sparrows. Ho-Hum.

Sallent  de Gallego was also full. Quelle surprise.  Definitely Christmas. But the mood in the village was good and it was very, very full. There was a camp site but the lady at the tourist information office, very helpful, very nice said that the camp site was for local workers only. Not for us tourists.

So we ignored it and kept walking towards tomorrows goal. Eventually we found the 'recreational area' promised in the book.One table and one springy ride for kids. But a bit of exploring found us a nice site hidden from view, by the river. We watched a fisherman - not catch anything.

The Perfect Camping Spot

MSR - if you want this photo for your advertising - give us a ring.

We have given some thought to what MSR might mean - the best option so far:

Might Stop Rain