Hotel Roc De Caldes 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 ...

... only thing in sight, a bus in a gravel lot. It then struck me why there were only 2 buses that left from the &#8220;station&#8221; per day, there are only 2 trains per day. So, half relieved and half amused, I loaded my things onto the bus, paid the short stout Spaniard my fare and saddled up for the ride to Canillo.<br><br> At first I could only laugh to myself as I got on the bus watching the tiny but wide driver bounce back and forth to blaring salsa ...

... 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>

... inside the house and made a bee-line for the electric fence. Don&#8217;t mess with a 600lb new mother of 11!<br><br>Chicken for Dinner<br><br>We&#8217;ve had quite the remarkable vegetarian staying at the farm - one who eats meat. I must say, all of us carnavors are quite in awe of her. Not wanting to raise issues, or cause the family to change the way that they eat, she quietly tried everything that was served. Most everything was ok except ...

... refrigeration for the meat. With wind-chill, that was absolutely frigid for 45 minutes! And with the winding mountain roads, the weight of the meat kept shifting into me with the occasional trotter popping out from under the covering. <br><br> Watching Austin process the carcase into usable joints of meat was truly a work of art. His knife flew, knowing exactly where to cut and slicing with one quick motion. Any small ...

... person above is literally in your hands. <br><br> All in all it was a fabulous day! Did 4 climbs in total ranging through the 5a, 5b, and 5c levels of difficulty. I wanted to try a 5, but the day went by too quickly. There was one climb that Brain was sweating out for quite awhile, but in the end his determination conquered it. Rock climbing is the perfect blend of challenge and rest in beautiful mountain settings. I may be hooked&#8230;<br><br>

... called &#8216;Patou&#8217; are raised with a herd (Pyrenees mountain dogs). As a result they will guard and defend their animals from any predator they may face - including humans. If you happen to wander in range they will bark furiously and give you many warnings to get away. If you don&#8217;t heed the warnings - you&#8217;re at your own risk with a fierce dog that comes up to your ...

... with cathedral ceilings, arched entryways, dangling chandeliers, and stone sculptures filling in the corners. Walking through this grandeur with tips of toes and hushed whispers watching as the scenery continually changes. One moment there&#8217;s a wide expanse to the right, then it opens all around, then it&#8216;s a tight passageway with new sights only coming into view just as you arrive there. Catching glimpses from different flashlights ...

... if you dry the mushroom at a certain temperature for the right amount of time it gets rid of all the &#8216;bad&#8217; poisons. But I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ll try it anytime soon as I am not a strong Viking Warrior, nor a powerful Medicine Man and I may not be able to live through the consequences. <br><br>But I will persevere at searching for edible &#8216;shrooms&#8216;. I love the taste, and can&#8217;t wait to try some different ones!<br>