Spain - Day 18: Camping Forcalla to Puen de San Chamie

The path lays somewhere ahead..

We  awoke, ate packed and left. Generally in that order. There might have been some some 'abluting' too but we can skirt over that. Fill up the bottles and off.

Soon we entered into an abandoned 'disperse settlement' (thanks IGCSE geography syllabus).The builds seemed clearly abandoned  but had been newly restored by funds from somewhere or other. But this is history and shouldn't be left to fall apart.

Go funds go.

Another day of bloody up and bloody down. But that is what we signed up for. 

Beautiful...

The track on the map seemed easy. But we had obviously missed the fine print. My eyes are not as good as they used to be. Or maybe I'm just an optimist. Lots of scree to cross on the way up and more on the way down. But little scree, certainly not a boulder field.

'Easy going...'

We had been told that there are exactly 36 (Slovenian)  bears in the Pyrenees - but as with other walks we didn't see any them. But 36 is not so many but I'm sure more will make the journey. Budget airlines have some benefits.

Maybe they had gone back home for a holiday. Slovenia is beautiful in the summer.

We have seen; marmots, vultures, worms, chamois and salamanders and frogs and fish the odd snake plus various farm animals. Not a huge list for 18 days.

A pyramid

We got to the top. Well we think it was the top. Someone had spent some considerable effort to build a pyramid. Not as good or as big as an Egyptian pyramid but it is at the top of a hill.

So we guessed, hoped that it was, indeed, the top. So we went down and if it isn't the top we will end up seriously lost. In the wrong valley, would be a bummer. Another added up and down, but these unnecessary.

For our 2 of our 3 pals today was their last day with us. They were heading for Benasque a village that we had heard so much about but will not get to visit. We have a sneaking suspicion that it just has a big bus station. But we stand to be corrected.

We had a date with a campsite and a swimming pool. That to us, at the moment, was heaven. 

Martin has developed a two track mind. He either talks about what bikes that he has looked at and which ones he wants and why. Or, his list of significant dates.

Day 21, not half way but only 3 hours walking. Then day 23 as that is half way. Then day 35 as that was 10 days before the end and we'll get to Puigcerda and it will be easy. It is more complicated but only he can remember it all. We take turns in pretending to listen, but it keeps him amused and keeps him walking. His only worry, other than his knees, is where to find food. he's still at 5000kC a day.    

Really rocky - 'I know I dropped my lucky stone somewhere'

But even in on big mountains the rocks can only fall so far and eventually we found some green stuff. Eventually.

Back the way we came

Not enough green stuff to feed all of the local cows it seemed. There was old evidence of cow presence, not quite fossilised, but definitely, old poo.

But no actual bovine entities wandering around on the hillside.

Maybe the bears had scared them away. Who knows.


We came across one ex-cow, to add to our collection of 'photos of dead things'.

What a smile

4 became 5

We had lunch and Mr. Wo caught us and joined us for the way down. We exchanged e-mails and will hopefully exchange photos.

He likes the one of him on the rock.

It will look good on his classroom wall he said.

Towards the end of the day we came across a car park. Quite where the cars should park was a bit of a mystery to us. There wasn't much actual un-rocky ground.

Another of those weird bridges - possible the puen of Puen de San Chamie fame. We like to think so.

The pool

The camp site was terrible. Shady trees swimming pool. Bar. Restaurant. Truly awful. We had been told by a German lady walker that the pool was nice. So we had to try it.

And there was a choice. There were two campsite. But only one pool. Easy really. Plus it was the closest. I mean we wouldn't want to walk if we didn't have to.

We are not (so) stupid.

She was right. But it was empty (well closed until a later). But we enjoyed it several times. We cannot be accused of looking gift equestrians in the mouth. The water was cool and refreshing. Actually, cold and refreshing with a stiff breeze. But we will never admit to not enjoying it. To turning blue - yes. Not enjoying it - no. We were worried about the heat in Spain - but so far it appears to be on holiday.

We are wondering if Martin has had enough? 

Relaxing in the shade