Hotel Valira Les Escaldes

... having a beer and watching a man try to dig his van out of the snow. To my knowledge his van is to this moment where it was when I left the bar.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to post some pictures of Canillo when it's snowy and the sun comes out. Don't have too many, but figured it was worth a post.

... charm, but it's easy to see that lots of it is maintained with the massive amounts of money that come in through rich tourists going to the ski resorts. Walking through the peaceful streets and hearing flowing water everywhere almost makes things seem eerily perfect. Like walking through a fairy tale. After a few rounds of the city, I decided to turn in a bit early as I didn't sleep much on the train over.

Today when I woke up the country had been ...

... 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.

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...

Found out today that the 90 day tourist visa that I thought we were granted for each country is actually for the combined Senchgen countries. Since we'll be at least 60 days in France alone, it means we won't be doing the France, Italy, Greece and then Turkey route we had planned on in the length of time we'd ...

... and load since they are very heavy and slippery)
2) Wrap in picnic table cloth and pack with icepacks
3) Drive as fast as possible with windows down and A/C on to keep meat cool (Tip: remember to bring your gloves!)
4) Throw in deep freeze until butcher arrives (Tip: make space in freezer before)
5) Watch in awe as butcher makes it look soo easy
6) Poke and pry at various interesting parts and organs (Brian’s job)
7 ...

... the weekend and they’re ready for pickup and processing. Brian had always been interested in butchering meat, so here was an opportunity to learn a bit.

The drive back from the abattoir was more difficult than I’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.

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 ...

... br>
Despite the dogs and the cold and wind, we did manage a little hike up past a waterfall up to a beautiful plateau area with mountains all around. Huddled behind a rock to provide some resistance from the wind, we scarfed down a bit of picnic lunch before running back to the truck for warmth. Then it was down into the town of Ax to soak our cold feet into some hot springs.

... returned to year after year to seek shelter from the harsh weather outside. When inside the cave, they would dwell fairly close to the entrance to take advantage of the natural light, but these paintings are deep in the cavern - some almost 3 km in!

So why did these people venture all that way with only little lamps and torches to paint pictures? Who knows! Walls lined with images of bison, ibex and horses (which are found in caves all ...

... br>
But it was worth it. I had the satisfaction of actually being able to do that kind of cycling with a loaded bike, and as always the mountain views take my breath away. A little house nestled in the tree-covered valleys with peaks rising up behind is where we will stay, and a hayloft will be our room for the next little while. Tonight the full moon shines in through the window, the wild stags bugle their lullabies, and I rest...