population six: pyrenean notes: September 2005
Copyright Population Six 2004

Fiestas in Plan

My neighbouring village of Plan is celebrating. The party runs from Tuesday 6th to Saturday 10 September 2005. Activities include a cooking competition,a football match for kids (Plan/Bielsa) and a much awaited match between the single and married ladies of Plan, karaoke and to start the afternoon on Thursday and Friday, mass followed by a procession in which saint is paraded through streets. I almost forgot vermouth or vermut as they say here at 2pm on Thursday. A different orchestra each night will provide the music to dance to in the main square in Plan, whether it be "paso doble", waltz or pop. Happy Partying!

Posted by Jayne at 15:13 · 0 comments

Perdido and summer pastures

On leaving Casa Marmores this afternoon, I happened to mention to a holidaying neighbour that I had plans to climb Monte Perdido. "Oh, I have climbed it lots of times" was the reply. It turned out that in his young days in the Pineta Valley, he looked after the sheep in the summer time in the high pastures. Though he had been near the summit many times, it had always been with the sheep and always in the foothills. "In those days", he said, "we spent 3 months at a time in the mountains, coming down now and again for 2 kilos of bread". Their milk supply was from the goats that accompanied them in their summer wanderings.

From where we were standing in the village of Las Cortes, he pointed out their route to the higher pastures, commenting that nowadays few people climb up that route as the sheep paths have all closed in.

He wished me luck for Monte Perdido. Though you can climb this famous peak from Pineta, I am planning on the more gentle route up from Nerin and Goriz.

Posted by Jayne at 17:03 · 0 comments

Mushrooms and mountains

Fiestas have come to an end in San Juan de Plan, and the majority of tourists have returned their homes and work in other parts. It is a lovely time of the year as the weather is generally more stable than in August and the area less crowded. Locals and tourists alike have started to find mushrooms - ceps and rovellons- in their walks through the pine forests, and very soon the blackberries will be ripe for picking.

I am looking forward to going mushroom picking; the first outing of the season always being the most exciting. My wicker basket and swiss army knife are at the ready.

Now that there is less work with the properties, there are are also a few mountains waiting to be climbed, namely Cotiella from Saravillo, and Posets from Viados. A few early starts that will hopefully be rewarded by some great views and the satisfaction that comes with having climbed a peak.

Posted by Jayne at 14:44 · 0 comments