El Chorro

The "Chorro", literally blast or jet of water lived up to its name this weekend. Situated in the Irués gorge accessible from the village of Badain in the Cinca Valley, the "chorro" is normally dry, except during the period when the ice melts or after stormy weather. It is part of an impressive underground waterway system particular to the Cotiella Massive.

The 1 and half hour walk from Badain is picturesque, though the last half hour is the real highlight with sightings of what will be a magnificent display of spring flowers. Return visit a must end May/early June.

Posted by Jayne at 16:20 · 1 comments

Coming Over Puerta de Sahun at dusk

We visited our neighbours in Benasque yesterday, driving over the Puerta de Sahun mounatin pass. From San Juan it takes one and a bit hours, and it is a breathtaking trip weather permitting; in the winter the snowfall closes the pass until late spring.

Our neighbours recounted the many trips made by them on foot to San Mames, a hermitage in the mountainside of San Juan, for the summer fiesta. It took 6 hours walking to arrive there, and a much told story is of the dancing on the rock beside the hermitage. Much to our delight at the Hopsital de Benasque, we were treated to a viewing of some early 20th century photographs of the area, one of which featured San Mames complete with 6 couples dressed in their sunday best dancing away impervious to the substantial drop at edge of rock, now fenced in.

We returned to San Juan by car crossing the 2005 m high pass at dusk. The descent proved quite spectacular; sunset, a twinkling Gistain, hares, cattle and lots of potholes.

Posted by Jayne at 10:01 · 0 comments

Autumn Colours

The area near the refugio at the famous Basa de la Mora/Ibon de Plan lake in the mountains of Saravillo offered a splendid view of the autumn landscape. At this date and after much rain and cold nights, the colours are more subdued than a week ago, but still it is an enjoyable experience to see the variety offered up by the landscape; from palest yellow to the most vibrant red passing via many tones of orange, all set of splendidly by the dark green of the pine forest.

The sound of a bell clanging kept us company as we strolled in the area near the refugio. Must to our amusement, we later discovered a herd of sheep; the whole herd following leader sheep with bell. It's always a treat to see the animals loose in the mountains, though soon they will all be brought down for the winter months either to the villages or to lower pastures beyond Barbastro.

Posted by Jayne at 19:40 · 0 comments

Scattering of snow

After a week of showers-heavy, medium and light-and heavy laden low skies, the sun finally broke through to reveal snow on the higher peaks. What a constrast to see the green fields near Ainsa, sunny blue sky and the white capped Monte Perdido. Trekkers planning on a late ascension (it was sort of still on my to do list for this year!) can safely hold off until early summer of next year.

Posted by Jayne at 19:06 · 0 comments

Morshidons

We set off mushroom picking at 10 am on a beautiful sunny day. Having woven our way through a tree blocking the path, hopped over stones to cross the stream, and scrambled up a short but steep mountain slope, we arrived at our favoured mushroom picking territory; an area not too far from the village, but with forest, forest tracks and open fields. The choice of ground meant we found several types of mushrooms, but our luck really struck when we entered the forest and filled our baskets with 2 kilos of lovely, fresh, succulent "morshidons" in about half and hour. What a treat to find such rich pickings and to spend some time in the magical beauty of the sun dappled forest overlooking San Juan de Plan.

Posted by Jayne at 13:23 · 0 comments