Hotel Font La Massana

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>

... the martin to enter, then the chickens could be moved back to their real home. Of course, that meant catching all 10 chickens and moving them back up the hill. <br><br>Brian was the best a catching them. He&#8217;d corner them in the barn and lunge, but no one wanted to touch that damn rooster. Last to be caught, Justin was lucky enough to grab hold of a leg mid air as he tried to fly over a partition. Once neatly inside the cat carrier I was ...

... the weekend and they&#8217;re ready for pickup and processing. Brian had always been interested in butchering meat, so here was an opportunity to learn a bit. <br><br>The drive back from the abattoir was more difficult than I&#8217;d expected. Sitting beside 4, ½ pig carcasses was less than comfortable. +6 degree weather outside we still drove with the windows down and the A/C on trying to get the temperature down to 2 or 3 ...

... than anything else. However, for a first time climber this is often the most difficult. The death grip mush come off the rock and weight comes off your feet. Floating on air! You push aside thoughts of whether or not the rope will hold and begin to descend. <br><br>Actually, I found the job of belaying much more difficult than that of climbing. Not only ******* the arms hauling the rope around and holding it securely, was the knowledge that ...

... between France, Spain and Andorra with 3000m peaks rising up all around. Up past charming little villages where all the little homes are made of stone stacked upon one another with only the slate rooves peeking through. <br><br>We drove the truck as far up the road as possible, and then even a little farther than we should have. Feels like complete mountain wilderness, but there are ...

... for instructions from our guide. Far enough now, and the group waits in solid silence for what comes next. <br><br>Perfectly positioned, the guide turns on a single light and we&#8217;re blinded with a whole wall full of images! Not just simple line drawing either - they are quite detailed. Many make use of the natural contours of the rock and the shadows that it creates to add life and depth to the images. A truly remarkable sight as image after ...

... Pretty routine. But when walking though the barn, the rooster flew at me with his claws out! Luckily, he&#8217;s a bad shot and only caught my hand. But then when I was reaching down for some eggs, he came at me again! This time I got a big scratch across my chest. From now on I&#8217;m carrying a rather large &#8216;rooster bat&#8217; with me through the barn. Just try to get the best of me&#8230;...