Full English Break --- fast.

A temporary change in the weather put the dampers on Marvao's annual Chestnut Fair with the hill top town shrouded in a thick mist with heavy rain - thus I decided to give it a miss and tucked away in the van with Mia, Gary's dog, dozing contentedly at my feet.

Predictably the very next day it dawned dry and bright and I spent a useful day giving the van a thorough clean and tidy up.

A trip to Portalegre for shopping saw me neatly customise the bike rack round a handy lamp post but with no real damage done it served as an ideal work platform to thoroughly clean and service both bikes before they are stored for three weeks. 

Various old friends from the area dropped by and I made arrangements to catch up properly when I return for the festive period.

My journey to Lisbon was uneventful passing through oak dotted grazing land and as I neared the coast large waterlogged paddy fields were evidence of the local rice cultivation.

The dockside aire in central Lisbon was busier than last time but still uncrowded and on impulse I decided to hop on one of the regular fast boats that link Lisbon with largely residential towns across the Tagus and was soon alighting at Cacilhas. I walked west along the old wharfe passing endless derelict warehousing that will no doubt one day see much needed development heading towards the spectacular Pont de 5 Abril bridge. An external glass lift took me up to Arialva from where I walked to view the dominant feature of the area's skyline the impressive Cristo Rei statue completed in 2013 and at almost 400' high mirroring the perhaps more famous one overlooking Rio de Janeiro.

Back at the van I checked my rucksack for the following day's flight and slept well on a mild night.

Aeroporto Parque's efficient check in soon saw me on the shuttle to Terminal 2 from where an Easy Jet flight left on time - the transit over Spain and the Bay of Biscay and clipping the Brittany coast was under blue skies but as we passed over Cardiff the clouds thickened for our descent to Manchester where the tempertaure of 4 degrees contrasted sharply with the 22 of Lisbon.

A slow train over the Peninnes to Sheffield saw me queuing in the rain for a taxi and then crawling through the rush hour traffic with a friendly taxi driver from Srinagar in Kashmir for company - he was astounded that I had ridden a bike round his home some 30 years ago.

It was lovely to be home and catch up with friends and family before I nipped to the local hospital for a blood test as one before I left had showed a slight anomaly (all fine), obtained a repeat scrip for pills and showed outstanding bravery for a flu jab.

Thus on the Saturday we were packed and ready for off to the Lake District via Skipton where after a walk along the scenic canal we improved the balance sheet of the local Tesco's by a substantial margin.
Lodge 21 was as ever presented in immaculate condition  and we fondly remembered the many years that Mum and Dad had enjoyed here.

A decent day took us over Lingmell and back along the Great Langdale Valley where Penny had arrived for a few days during which we enjoyed spectacular views from Latterbarrow near Wray Castle overlooking Windermere, a good meal in the on site restaurant, expensive drinks and a quiz in the nearby Wainwright's pub and some relaxed swimming in the luxurious pool.
A walk across to the Drunken Duck pub for an excellent lunch took in my grandfather's old home where 50 years ago my brother and I were lucky enough to spend our summer holidays in a 'Blytonesque' idyll.

We called at Ambleside to see the excellent Queen film ' Bohemian Rhapsody' and nose about the shops where everywhere seemed surprisingly quiet.

On the Thursday we enjoyed a prolonged session in the spa including an hour or so in the heated out door pool made all the more enjoyable by occasional heavy showers.

My annual cold had started to clear by the time friends from Bristol arrived on Thursday and Friday saw a memorable walk over to Grasmere and up Easedale Beck , past the tarn and then a stiff climb in very gusty winds and the odd hail shower before dropping to Stickle Tarn and the descent of Dungeon Ghyll.

Saturday's low cloud and rain persuaded us to stick to lower ground so we walked to Chester's at Skelwith Bridge, followed paths and tracks to Tilberthwaite and sought shelter for lunch in the deep quarry at Hodge Close.
The water was cascading down Tilberthwaite Ghyll but as it was a very grey day and dusk was arriving early we decided not to climb higher on the flanks of Wetherlam and returned down the other side to pick up the path back to Little Langdale.

Our evening in the Brittania was initially overshadowed by a large noisy lass who brayed constantly at an adjacdent table before we eventually had a word and back at the lodge an impromptu quiz gently stirred the grey matter.

Sunday saw the Bristol crew  depart before we walked up to view the nearby Burlington slate quarry where in recent years they have been crushing the huge piles of waste slate for use on footpaths and as a weed suppressing layer.

Glorious weather on the Monday gave us the opportunity to enjoy good views as we walked via the Loughrigg caves to Ambleside, along to Waterhead dropping in to Hayes Garden Centre to see their Christmas display and after a coffee in the late afternoon sun returning over Loughrigg to view a property that has been built on the site of a now demolished traditional house. The stylish modern design with a mix of local stone, timber and glass occupies an elevated position with panoramic views but the steep access track on a north facing slope would be a seasonal issue.

Yesterday we returned to Tilberthwaite Ghyll via different paths to more fully appreciate its grandeur but by mid afternoon the fog had descended and we were glad to get back to the cosy lodge before a swim.

So we have a final few days here before returning via York to vist family after which I return to Lisbon a week today until New Year. Then its down to the wilder west coast of Portugal south of Sines before meeting Mandy in Gibraltar in mid January for a return to Morocco.

Piccies of the foregoing appear here.

Lisbon and farewell. Welcome back to the Alentejo.

A new minimarket and cafe in San Antonio was worth dropping in to and then we spent the day cycling over to the ever fascinating railway station at Beira before returning via Castelo de Vide along a range of tracks before stashing the bikes and other clobber away as we decided they would be unnecessary in Lisbon. 

We headed off on the Sunday stopping en route to appreciate an old Roman bridge before arriving at the aire in Central Lisbon around dusk. It was conveniently situated on the old wharves just along from the impressive 25th April Bridge and very handy for reaching the main highlights. A few other vans were obviously almost in residence and joggers and cyclists occupied the adjacent track that followed the foreshore for miles. We walked up to the Presidential Palace with its numerous bored looking guards and then went in to the ferry terminal and underground station just to orientate ourselves before walking back along the seafront passing a promising looking restaurant.

After a quiet night we then spent a pleasant day walking the streets of Lisbon to visit its many attractions ranging from the castle through to the myriad of alleyways and steep narrow streets, various chapels and churches and the main squares of this compact and lively capital. We covered over 9 miles on a sunny day and saw most of the main attractions. The colourful trams squealed their way around and we noted that a number of the tuk tuks were now silently gliding around after an upgrade to electric power.

Back at the van we showered and changed before walking the short distance (fortunately as it had started to rain) to the Portugaria where we enjoyed an excellent meal in contemporary surroundings. There was a large internet conference taking place in the city and a number of fellow diners were tech savvy twenty somethings from a range of nations no doubt defining the world of tomorrow at a level I figure I would struggle with.

On the Tuesday we set the sat nav for Aeroporto Lisboa and were soon dropping Mandy off for the shuttle bus to Terminal 2 for her flight home. A slight delay had been texted from Easy Jet but good time was made on the flight and by tea time she was safely home.
I lingered until the flight had actually departed and then crossed the long Vasco de Gama bridge with flamingoes paddling in the extensive shallows at the far side and called in to a large campsite for a Campingaz exchange - the 907 cylinders had proved elusive but 13 euros seemed a good price - less than half the UK cost.
Thus I set off for the headland at Cabo Espichel where a large sandy and mostly empty car park was to be my base for the night.
It was blowing like mad making the walk out to the chapel and church of Nossa Senhora de Cabo quite exhilerating and causing some challenging flying conditions for a large military helicopter hovering over a nearby bay - it wasn't clear whether it was a training mission or an actual rescue, either way the pilot was obviously highly skilled.
The roof of the chapel was quite probably the finest I have ever seen but photos were discouraged unfortunately.
The lighthouse began to wink as the sun set and I returned for a wild and windy night grateful once more for the cosy warmth of the Eberspacher.

Wednesday looked set to be a wet day so I decided to hunker down and read until it started to clear up at which point I dropped in to Sesimba to walk its castle walls and view the busy fishing port before doing a supermarket sweep at Setubal and heading inland where the weather seemed calmer. Whilst a planned stop north of Evora provided an opportunity to drain tanks and fill up with water I decided its location alongside a restaurant popular with HGVs might not be so peaceful so decided to stay in the city itself on the marketplace parking - another large sandy expanse with plenty of room.


Evora's main sight is the remarkably well preserved Roman temple with the aqueduct also largely intact. 
The Chapel of Bones was a macabre sight whilst a collection of nativity scenes from around the world and across the generations made for interesting viewing.
Heading east I spent the night just beneath the castle walls at Marvao with spectacular views across to Spain with the sparsely scattered villages lit by sodium lights looking like a fallen galaxy.

On the Friday I called in briefly to collect my bike before taking up residence at the Barragem de Povoa which was much emptier than a fortnight previously - of people not water.
Saturday's 40 mile ride under a strong sun was a cracker - using the GPS I followed numerous tracks and trails to Montelvao and then dropped down to the hydroelectric scheme on the Tejo to cross in to Spain. Cedillo had a small shop so I stopped for refreshments before returning across the dam and making my way back via yet more tracks. Some striking cattle were grazing alongside the beautiful blue and white Capela de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios and I arrived back in time for an hour in the sun watching a large flock of storks wading in the shallower water.

On Sunday I woke after 12 solid hours sleep and spent the day reading with the odd walk to ease my limbs before today I nipped across to Valencia for large amounts of fruit and veg, some goats cheese and a good helping of serrano ham as I am now in residence at Gary's site whilst he heads south for a few days.

I intend to give the van a good spring clean, service both bikes and enjoy what is to me the best of both worlds - an immaculate, well maintained and picturesque campsite - with no campers!!



Latest pics HERE

Old Favourites

Our excursion along the deep Douro Gorge gave us another perspective of this impressive ravine with the sun showing up the extraordinary geology. lichens and 'tidemarks' caused by the fluctuating water levels of Portugal's largest  hydroelectric scheme but by late afternoon we were crossing the dam over in to Spain to pick up the fast empty motorways for a 200 mile whizz south. Due to the hour's time difference we arrived around ten in Valencia D'Alcantara a few miles from the Portuguese border for a quiet night on the aire alongside the bull ring.

Monday morning gave us the opportunity to visit the regular market held in the main square alongside the church. The extensive range of fruit and veg left us spoilt for choice so we headed over to the clothing stalls first where the dour colours and patterns of the items on display were somewhat uninspiring. However I was attracted to some underwear bargains and left a happy bunny. Chorizo and serrano ham, sheep's cheese, a huge bag of fruit and veg plus some treats from the bakery completed our shopping so we headed towards Porugal stopping only to fill up as diesel is 10% cheaper on the Spanish side.

A side trip to the stark rocky ridge where last year I had watched vultures nesting was unproductive as presumably they are yet to arrive so we carried on through the empty customs and border buildings to the viewpoint above Castello De Vide alongside the beautiful chapel. A Spanish touring cyclist lugged his well laden bike to the top - his matching panniers and well equipped bike were equally impressive.

We then headed out to the Barragem half way towards Nisa where we planned to stay two nights.It was a scorching day and after a walk round we decided to take the narrow track down almost to the water's edge that was out of reach to the larger vans already parked up.

After a couple of hours in the sun we took the bikes out for a couple of hours as it was cooler and took a mixture of empty roads and unsurfaced tracks to Povoa e Meadas, the nearby village and back via an inpressive menhir that had recently been returned to its upright position.
Just as we returned an almost full moon rose across the water and after an evening meal we decided to sleep with the van door open to the striking view.

Tuesday dawned bright and sunny as a few local fishermen arrived for the day and we explored the far side of the water but failed to find a way round as the tracks dwindled to footpaths.
Thus after lunch we headed along another clutch of tracks and lanes to Nisa whose historic centre was a maze of narrow lanes and alleys with in one corner a colourful diplay of umbrellas suspended across the street.

On our return we stopped at the tiny bar near the dam for a cool beer and felt that with the nearby cluster of affluent vanners he was missing a trick by only offering cold beers and soft drinks. 
Once we were back we spoke at length to an English lady who'd bought a van I had admired a year or two ago at the Birmingham Camper Show. They felt it was not that well built and had a long snagging list for their return home, they also felt that it lacked ground clearance due to the underslung gas and water tanks.
After another night under a full moon we departed for Portalegre in a search for Campingaz but despite the 'stockist locater'app it was unobtainable in either supermarket - strangely we noted that neither butcher sold lamb at this time of year.




After a salad lunch on the slopes of Marvao we parked up alongside the walls and climbed through the streets to the castle where at the top of the main keep millions of flying ants were swarming. From here we could see the blackened slopes to the west where a summer fire had scorched a large swathe of the chestnut and oak forests. We dropped in to the small shop to surprise Joao who assists at the campsite before shortly turning in to the familiar gates of Camping Asseiceira.
It was good to see Gary again and over a cuppa we had a quick catch up before settling down in a private corner and offloading the bikes. Apart from a brief return to the UK in mid November I will be here until the New Year which is a very pleasing prospect.

Yesterday we cycled to Galegos and then through the quiet border lanes back to Valencia and then took a turning to La Acena De La Borega for a beer and tapas before taking tracks to the impressive dolmen El Mellizo.

An ice cream on the way home set us up for the final few miles and later that evening we joined Gary and some other guests at the Pau de Canela restaurant in nearby San Antonio das Arreias. I enjoyed baby squid whilst Mandy chose a more restrained omelette both accompanied by delicious chips and a mixed salad. Profiteroles for afters left us feeling replete as we walked home on a mild night.
Today we have been to see a project that Gary has in mind for the next few years - an olive oil factory last worked in 1975 that he hopes will provide a home plus adjacent holiday lettings. The old settling tanks, pressing equipment and various associated fittings will be incorporated in to what has the potential to be an interesting project..

Our circuit of the 'Roman Steps' walk was interrupted by a clap of thunder and some rain as we reached the road back but fortunately an engaging Irish lass who lives locally stopped and dropped us back at the site.

Here we have relaxed and caught up with news as I have taken up the internet pass available at £5 a day- my roaming data allowance having been used up over the past month.

The photos are here - my Spot device seems to need new batteries or has a fault but Marvao comes up on any map search.

Gorges, coast - gorgeous mountains.

After climbing back over the pass to the south of Potes we dropped through cloud and showers before taking the side road to Cains in order to start the Cares Gorge walk from the southern end. Despite the rain it was an impressive experience once more with numerous tunnels, bridges and an exposed walkway that had replaced a collapsed section of tunnel - to increase the experience a section was left open to the river far below with only a grate to stand on.

The adjacent small waterway that also snakes through the gorge was empty and at one point we saw an engineer on a quad following the concrete lined canal through a route every bit as impressive as our walk - an enviable job.
On our return the sun broke through and we headed off in search of a place for the night. This arrived sooner than expected in a nearby village, Posada de Valdeon, where the community had installed an aire with hook up points, water and waste facilities, loos and showers in the sports hall and all for 10 euros paid online.

After a walk round the village with its many old farm houses and elevated grain stores we enjoyed a peaceful night leaving next day for the lakes above Covadonga.
However it was a National Holiday in Spain and the traffic was heavy heading that way so we decided to head for the coast and stopped at popular surfing beach of Rodiles where a largely empty grassy car park was our base for the night. The beach was large enough to swallow the visitors and we enjoyed walking the full length admiring the surfers out on the roaring waves.
Next day we cycled in to Villaviciosa for food before returning for a relaxing day on the beach and a walk to a good vantage point that evening.
Sticking with the coast we visited Llastres with its pretty harbour and maze of streets covering the hill behind the town and felt it to be much nicer than the more popular Cudillero.

Cape Bustio felt very exposed but a good two hour walk rewarded us with excellent views - the 1:25,000 mapping on my GPS proving again very useful.

Puerta de Vega's aire located behind the substantial sea wall was a great place to stay and handy for a walk around the headland with good cliff and coastal views.
The maize harvest was well underway with the large combine devouring great swathes at a time.

Lluarca was another attractive fishing port with plenty of interest around the harbour and good views from the small chapel way above the town after which we headed south inland towards the mountains once more.





Our planned stop on the Sende del Oso had no water or waste working but another mile or so up the road a much nicer alternative was the aire at Teverga from where the following day we began a 60 mile ride following the vias verdes first and then looping over the mountains with a long climb before a fast descent back to a sunny cafe at Tunon by the mediaeval bridge. A meal out that evening was just reward but Mandy was less than pleased after the event to discover we had enjoyed baby eels in one dish.

En route south we passed through the stunning mountains and gorges of the Somiedo National Park and walked a route from a high pass on the Asturian border to the Lago de Cueva and others located high in the hills with cattle grazing the deserted slopes.
After refuelling we stopped overnight in the grounds of a cafe that provided facilities, free if you had a beer or two there and then continued on to Astorga with one of the finest cathedrals I have visited. Gaudi had also had a hand in the proposed Bishop's House and the evening light lit up his remarkable design flair.





We cycled out partly following the Camino de Santiago passing various earnest hikers heading along the famous pilgrimage route before turning off for striking Castrillo de los Polvas with its iron stained stonework looking superb in the bright sunshine.






Puebla de Sanabria had a substantial castle and pretty old town surrounding its solid walls and finally we pulled in to an aire on the slopes of Braganca's castle with easy access up to the main keep, the church, Romanesque town meeting house and the cluster of streets that define 'old town'. The newer centre was a short walk away and worthy of exploration with its paved, traffic free boulevards and fashionable shops.
Quince trees were heavy with fruit alongside our overnight spot and we slept soundly again very grateful for the independence the new van provides with hot water, a shower, loo and, if needed, heating. Despite the mountains and climbs we seemed to be getting a creditable 40 mpg and found eating out etc very reasonably priced.




We are now in Portugal at Miranda De Douro and have stayed on only our second camp site to get laundry done - a medium bike ride this morning took us to a remarkable viewpoint over the Douro where we now intend to take a river cruise before heading a couple of hours south to the Spanish/Portuguese border near Marvao.

Piccies sit here as ever HERE

To begin at the beginning.....

So - the Gap Year.

After returning from my last trip in early 2017 it became obvious that dear old Mum who had coped with such dignity with the loss of Dad some four years previously was now in need of additional suppport and as a trial she agreed to try residential care at the superb Hagley Place care home in Ludlow. The staff made her feel very welcome and within a week she was asking if she could move there permanently.
Mindful of her advancing frailty this seemed a very sensible solution and in time it became clear that she would not be returning to her new home in Bishops Castle. She had managed three happy years there but we all accepted she was entering a new phase in her life.
Thus over the late Spring and Summer of 2017 I began to head off again reassured that she was happy and safe, but generally staying nearer to the UK and taking shorter trips. Highlights included the traditional week in Scotland with old friends, a new experience in house sitting in a charming corner of Devon and a superb three weeks in France cycling the Nantes - Brest Canal. 
Unfortunately Mum developed Alzheimer's which produced a frightening and rapid decline in her abilities and whilst Hagley coped very well and met her ever changing needs she deteriorated quickly and required a hospital admission in September. Following her discharge she was extremely frail and required constant care and supervision.
With some misgivings we decided to visit Northern Spain in late Autumn before my usual Portuguese winter foray and spent three weeks enjoying the many excellent Vias Verdes (disused railway lines converted to cycle tracks - www.viasverdes.com English version available) of Northern Spain, a superb return for me to the Picos D'Europa and then a pleasant few days in Marvao before Mandy flew home.

In late November on the very day I was also returning to the UK the home rang to say Mum had taken a turn for the worse and whilst en route to the airport another call confirmed that she had quietly passed away.

Thus on my return I became very much preoccupied with arranging a funeral in line with her wishes, the placement of her ashes alongside Dad in my brother's lovely garden and then attending to her affairs.
This became a focus of my attention for the following 8 months and suffice to say that whilst most public and private bodies acted with sympathy, sincerity and even efficiency her life time bank - Barclays - continue even to this day to be apalling in every way. They should be ashamed of the way they treated a loyal customer especially as, after acting in a similar way following the loss of my father, they had promised to change.


However over the summer of 2018 everything finally clicked in to place with the tedium enlivend by a memorably harsh stay above Brecon during the Beast from the East, good cycling breaks near York, in the Yorkshire Wolds and in Lincolnshire and a tough undertaking of the Devon Coast to Coast Sustrans Route - far harder than we had anticipated. A long trip to Scotland was cancelled thanks to the delays from Barclays but we made the most of the unusually good weather that marked Summer 2018.

However Mandy became seriously ill in late June after a routine op and had a very close shave with sepsis which rather put our plans on hold but remarkably by late July she had begun to recover and we undertook a gentle tour of some of our favourite haunts, catching up with friends and enjoying the continuing good weather. Highlights of this fortnight included the superb Newport Transporter Bridge, a BBQ by the Severn on a perfect evening and a visit to North Devon where old friends are embarking on a new life in a very lovely part of the world.


With Mandy now almost fully recovered I decided to head off for August starting with a challenging cross Wales ride from Chepstow to Conwy staying at various bothies, returning to house sit hedgehogs, ducks and rabbits in Devon and then celebrating a clutch of birthdays with a memorable helicopter charter over the Devon countryside.



In early September I assisited the usual reprobates in running the final Brecon Beast Mountain Bike Charity Event. Over 700 riders enjoyed a demanding route and succeeded in bringing the total of funds raised over the years to more than £100k. Sadly intransigence and obstruction from two local public bodies has made running the event in future years impractical and I think all those involved over the previous years will remember with great pride the many expressions of thanks and appreciation from entrants across the board.

So finally in early October I felt able to set off on another longish venture, Mum's affairs were finally sorted,  and for those who've followed the blog over the years and noticed the new image at the top I was in a new home.

Whilst I actually purchased the van a year ago I have been ensuring that it is up to the task of matching the quite remarkable achievements of the old battle bus. Finally retired at 345,000 miles and 18 years it has I believe gone to a new owner and I now enjoy considerable comfort in a familiar but more refined vehicle.
Over the year I have had a full service including cam belt and water pump, changed the leisure and starter battery, had a new Eberspacher diesel heater fitted and as a precaution changed the clutch and DMF. Some rust around the screen was addressed although unfortunately this involved a dispappointing hiccup as the new screen leaked requiring the removal of all the interior trim, carpeting and seats at the front to dry things out.
Whilst in Portugal last Autumn the alternator failed and was  a sod to change but the old one is now refurbished and carried as a spare along with the usual filters and brake pads.

With Autosleeper managing to fit a very seviceable shower and loo in the LWB Topaz van and with the transfer over of some kit from the old bus I now have a very comfortable home that will I hope set the scene for many years to come - it is now 13 years since I gave up the smallholding life in the Brecon Beacons and I hope to be on the road for at least as long again.

The crossing to Santander on Brittany Ferries' flagship Pont Aven was smooth and enjoyable with porpoise spotted alongside.
Santillana Del Mar provided an unscheduled stop as having driven rather embarassingly through the traffic free mediaeval village centre ( never believe a sat nav) we found we could park overnight for 10 euros and were able to explore the narrow lanes and alleyways more appropriately.

Next day Gaudi's Caprichio at nearby Comillas was a cultural treat and San Vicente de La Barquera made for a pleasant stroll before we headed for the parking above the stunning beach at Pechon where we had enjoyed excellent swimming in good surf last year. However despite the summer heat the sea was cold even in wetsuits but nevertheless we enjoyed a good day on the beach and two quiet nights in a beautiful location.
Heading south over the Cantabrian Mountains we decided to tackle a peak on the Tres Mares Ridge and climbed steadily as the mist blew in on one side. Excellent views of the Picos were our reward before we dropped to Cervera de Pisuerga for a quiet night in an aire where we were able to fill up with water and dispose of waste.
Following the scenic road west to Triollo we took a shortish walk to a pair of viewpoints before unloading the bikes and setting off on a circuit of the Camporredonda reservoir including a side trip up to Cardano de Arriba where the lofty peak of Esperguete loomed over us.
A bottle of the local cider in the sun at a small cafe set the scene for the wobble back to Triollo after which we headed on to another aire at Velilla del Rio Carrion.
Food and fuel were obatined at Guardo on the Monday morning before we took the high Puerto De San Glorio road over to Potes in the Picos. From the magnificent Mirador de Llesba we watched as the clouds lifted from the major peaks of the Picos and I remembered my stay there overnight four years ago under a starry sky.
Camping La Viorna in Potes was as beautiful as we remembered and is a credit to the family who own it. We made use of the laundry facilities with washing drying very quickly in the dry mountain air - it was our first proper campsite in a week but closes at the end of October.

Yesterday saw us taking the Fuente De cable car up in to the mountains where we began a long walk through incredible scenery to the col at Horcados de Rojos from where we watched astonished as intrepid hikers descended a fixed wire down in to the valley below as part of a traverse of the main Picos range. Across the dry glacial basin the impressive Naranjo de Bulnes towered over the view and after a good lunch of bread, cheese and tomato we decided to climb the actual peak reaching the 8500' summit for the most rewarding views after a breathless scramble.
With a fair way to go if we were to catch the last cable car down we didn't linger long and arrived back at La Viorna tired and ready to enjoy an excellent meal in their small restaurant.




Today we decided on an easier day and just walked in to Potes, stopping briefly en route to assist a Dutch couple as the lady had sprained her ankle. Potes has an attractive older centre and the La Soldreria provided us with one of the best meals in recent memory whilst sat in a sunny courtyard.
This afternoon has been spent uploading this lengthy update - tomorrow we move on to the impressive Cares Gorge and then the Covadonga Lakes before we head back to the coast and NW Spain.

Piccies should be available here.

Gap Year

After a break of some 18 months - more later, I am just refreshing my (limited) skills with the blog and trying to master Google Photos which has replaced Picassa, so far with limited success.
This link should get you (and me!) to a review of the year in photo form RIGHT HERE