Eurotel Silken Hotel Escaldes-Engordany

Today was my last full day in Andorra. There wasn't a huge amount to do. It wasn't snowing, but the wind was so fierce that it seemed like a sand storm made out of snow. I had a great time watching a group of cows grazing in snow up to their stomachs. Other than that I had a walk around town and spent about an hour at a ...

... that I am.<br><br> After I met up with my host and had some lunch, I decided to go for a walk and take some pictures. Andorra is certainly a beautiful place. The valleys are small enough that you can see all the details in the hills, and this makes for great scenery. It also makes for great walking, as you don't have to go too far before you are at the top of a huge hill and have a great view all around you.<br><br> The city has a good bit of old ...

... village et quand on est arrivé, il avait le marché du matin. On a acheter du vin à environ 1 euro le litre (vin de pays) et du bon fromage bleu pour le déjeuner.<br><br>On avait pas le droit de prendre des photos dans la grotte pour pas faire de la pollution lumineuse (il y avait déja des ptites pousses de plante pres des lanternes...ils veulent pas en rajouté non plus). Aussi il faut pas déranger les chauve souris...pauve cocottes...<br>

... What it does mean, we're not quite sure of yet. Still dealing with the shock and going over a few different options. All while kicking myself for not realizing this sooner. Only one thing is for certain - I'm not going to let this spoil our trip, and we're going to have to get cycling! (o.k., two things). <br>

... and label all pieces and freeze (Sharilyn&#8217;s job)<br>8) get ready to feast on some fine meat!<br><br>Hauling some Heavy ****<br><br>One of the first jobs Brian had to do upon arrival was cleaning the manure out of the barn. This family leaves the cattle in the barn over the winter simply piling up new straw on top of the straw and manure for the cows to stand on letting it build all season. Then the next summer it&#8217;s all mucked out ...

A gory day full of raw meat, but surprisingly it didn&#8217;t bother me. Some issues that have arisen when discussing the idea of setting up our own small holding with the attempt to be as self-sufficient as possible was whether or not we could deal with it. So far it doesn&#8217;t seem to be a problem. <br><br>We&#8217;ve stayed a few extra days at this farm with the anticipation of butchering day. Took 2 pigs to the abattoir ...

... the time to see the final goal. Then the sweet feeling of triumph when you&#8217;re actually there!<br><br>Now it&#8217;s time to relax, but one of the most difficult parts is still to come: the descent. This is a relaxing &#8216;walk&#8217; down the rock face while to seat yourself into the harness low enough that your legs are at 90 degree angles to the rock. Your weight born by the belayer below you slowly step your way down more keeping ...

... and roads scattered everywhere - if you can find them. Driving is a very different than walking. In great contrast to the towns below, the wind howled and ice formed on the road. On foot the walk was extremely harsh and I could see why there were shephards and hikers huts dotted all around for shelter. You can see why farmers train their animals instead of caring for them themselves ...

... we paused to look at some other markings that had been left: a series of lines and dots. Perhaps a primitive form of communication, these too have been found in many caves throughout the area. Unfortunately, they have yet to be deciphered, so as yet we do not know what they were saying with this writing and other images. <br><br>But also on the walls are some writings that are clearly distinguishable to the modern eye. A more recent addition ...

... regularity were the fly agaric, or classic &#8216;magic mushroom;. Not exactly what I wanted to cook up for lunch!<br><br>This mushroom has a long history. The classic &#8216;toadstool&#8217; look with a red top and white dots it&#8217;s very easy to spot. I remember it from Smurfs and Super Mario Brothers. <br><br>A Viking tribe called the Berserker&#8217;s would use these mushrooms before going into battle - for themselves as well as their ...