Benasque and Ainsa

We took the scooter on a scenic drive through the Congosto de Ventamillo gorge to visit the old village of Benasque. The old centre has many old mansions and the drive was very picturesque.

 

 

From our camp site we took a walk into Ainsa with a couple of pals we met on the site. Ainsa has a Medieval square with a belfry tower of Santa Maria consecrated in 1181 and on the other side is a castle from the walls of which you get good panoramic views. After enjoying Tapas and wine for lunch with Roger and Julia we chose to return on the other side of the river to our camp site and ended up wading across.

Good fun.

 

 

 

 



Valle de Pineta

Our last walk in the Ordesa National Park was to the Pineta Valley.  We took the scooter along the valley floor until the road ended at a bowl.  From the centre we walked around the base of the bowl and then ascended up past the waterfalls to a high level pasture spotting our first ever marmot.  A fabulous walk with views of the glacier and the mountain of Perdido.

 



Canyon de Anisclo

Another day, another canyon this time Anisclo, much closer to the campsite. The road becomes a one way route halfway up and goes through a very deep and narrow canyon.

 

 

 We were held up for a while by road workers filling in the potholes but eventually arrived at the car park.

We walked in the opposite direction from most of the crowd and had a delightful walk up the lower gorge as a result. The butterfly population was remarkable and I finally got one to settle on my hand for a change, Sarah is usually luckier than me.
 

 

 

The descent from the car park is over the tops of the mountains with wonderful views all along. This ride is a must for scenery lovers.






 

Back then for a dip in the pool.

 



Ordesa National park

We sadly left our pals behind and carried on into Spain and in to the Ordesa National park. The campsite at Pena Montenesa is situated just outside the park and has beautiful views of the mountains.  It has an indoor and outdoor pool, restaurant and bar all of which were open.

 

 

We started our tour by visiting the Valle de Ordesa which was 35 miles from the site but a beautiful journey on the scooter in magnificent scenery. During the high season all traffic stops at the visitor centre and people have to take the coach into the valley, but at this time of year you can drive  the final 5 miles to the upper carpark.

We walked to the first three cascades by which time my legs had gone and Sarah gave up trying to persuade me onwards. It is another fabulous gorge and well worth exploring further, possible in the spring on our way back north.

 

 

 



Kakuetta Gorge and camping du Pont d'Abense

We are staying at Camping Abense at the moment, near Tardetts. Another ACSI site and right in the middle of some beautiful scenery on the edge of the Pyrenees. This a nice quiet site on the edge of the village and within easy walking distance from Tardetts centre.

 

 

We took in another Gorge today, this time walking down in the gorge by the river. There is a charge for this visit of five Euros which in our opinion is very reasonable, considering the upkeep of the board walks and bridges.

The walk ends in a large cave or Grotto and you return by the same route. It takes about an hour each way depending how many times you stop to take pictures.

 All of these walks, including our last one, are within ten miles of the campsite and parking is available. This one had overnight places for campervans.

 



 



Salies de Bearn and Camping Domain d'Esperbasque

Well here we are back in France having taken the ferry from Poole to Cherbourg on 2nd September. We stopped at couple of nice Aires on route and arrived at our first campsite on Wednesday at Salies de Bearn.

Our pals we met in Portugal last year were already on site at Camping Domaine d'Esperbasque and we soon met for a catch up and a welcome meal with them.
Peter and Shirley had picked this site as it is near to some other pals we met Portugal who have now purchased a house in Barcus.  We all wanted to visit them to see how they were getting on with their project of setting up a B&B.  More on this later !
 

Our campsite was run and owned by a Dutch family, Marianne Hessels and her son Rene and his girlfriend Eline. They were very welcoming and on the second night they hosted a communal meal for the campers. An excellent time was had by all with wonderful food and drink and great company.

The site is very well set up with nice facilities and great views. A lovely swimming pool adds to the attraction. Horse riding is a bonus for our pal Shirley who loves riding.







We took a walk round "Snake island" in Sauveterre de Bearn with Peter and the dogs, Scruffy and Bandit whilst Shirley was out on the horse. The dogs loved the water as you can see by the picture. The town is very beautiful with many old buildings. A longer stay is definitely on the cards.

Thanks to all of you for making our stay memorable, it was like we were old friends after only three days.

  

 



Back in the UK

Well we have been back in the UK now for about four weeks and done a lot of visiting both Family and Friends and are currently in South Wales with Sarah's family for a couple of weeks. The weather has been mixed but that is typical of this time of year.

We have had Sarah's son Matts graduation which took place in Norwich in July, visits to other family, both children and Grandchildren all of which were delightful. The Grand kids have changed so much.

We are starting to plan our return to Europe for the end of August. We never have any set plan as such but Sarah is putting together a few ideas. Gentle progression through France with lots of free Aires, visits with pals in French Pyrenees and Spain then down to Sierra Nevada for some walking. We want to watch the grand migration of the birds of prey during October from Gibraltar to Africa. This is supposedly a great spectacle not to be missed by birdwatchers. Thousands of Raptors at a time make the crossing each year and have done so for hundreds of years.

Then if the weather is as poor as the last two winters, we plan to cross over to Morocco and join them, after all if its good for them then it may be good for us. We already have the DK Eyewitness travel guide at the ready, and with diesel at about half the cost of Europe, we may save some money.

OK, so for now just  a few pics of our time in the good old UK.