• Parc Nacional d’Aiguestortes Tue 26 Sep

    26 сентября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    We had lunch at Mirador de Esperit (Alt 1800 metres) around 1pm on the Aiguestortes plateau. After lunch Richard walked back to the car partly along the road to avoid some of the roughest sections of the foot track. Karen, Yvonne and I continued walking on the Aiguestortes plateau to the cirque Estant Llong (Alt 1950 metres) and took photos. We returned to coffee at the nearby Refugio Estant Llong around 3.15pm before walking back towards the car. At the Mirador de Esperit where we had lunch around 4.15pm we obtained the last 3 places in a shuttle van which drove us down to the car park where the car was. Richard had already arrived at the car. Back at Hostal La Placa Erill Catalan Spanish Pyrenees around 5pm. Shower and washed clothes. Out to dinner after 7pm but had difficulty in finding a open restaurant. Eventually a hotel in Boi gave us a very cheap meal including a bottle of house red. Back at Hostal La Placa in Erill Catalan Spanish Pyrenees around 9pm.Читать далее

  • Ainsa in Aragon Spain Wed 27 Sep 2023

    27 сентября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Up at 6.40am. Dark till 7.30am. Breakfast at 8.30am. Left Hostal La Placa Erill la Vall in Catalonia, Spanish Pyrenees just before 10am. Arrived Ainsa in the Aínsa-Sobrarbe municipal territory, part of the Aragon Spanish autonomous region at 11.30am. We parked in the new town and walked uphill to the old medieval walled town and looked around. Karen and Yvonne went shopping around 1pm and Richard came down to the new town a little later as he was looking inside a church. Picnic lunch in a park in Ainsa in the Aínsa-Sobrarbe municipal territory, part of the Aragon Spanish autonomous region around 2pm with a view of the old town above.Читать далее

  • Torla Huesca province Wed 27 Sep 2023

    27 сентября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    While driving towards our accommodation in Torla at 2.45pm a car over the centre of the road hit the drivers side mirror and the Ford collision assist failed to detect an possible head on collision! We were unable to stop as there was nowhere to pull over. To our surprise the other vehicle turned around and followed us to the next village called Fiscal where Karen exchanged details with difficulty with the other driver who only spoke Spanish or French. This took about an hour. There was minimal damage to the mirror housing on the rental car. Good thing we paid to have the insurance excess covered. Drove on to our accommodation at the Edelweiss Hotel in Torla in the Huesca province of the Aragon autonomous region in the Spanish Pyrenees. Arrived around 4.30pm. Richard and Karen had 1 room and Yvonne and I had another. Walked around the old town area after 5.30pm and returned to our rooms for showers and to wash some clothes. Dinner nearby at 7.30pm and back at the Edelweiss Hotel in Torla in the Huesca province of the Aragon autonomous region in the Spanish Pyrenees around 9.15pm.Читать далее

  • Valle Ordesa Spanish Pyrenees Thu 28 Sep

    28 сентября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Up at 6.20am. Breakfast at 7am. Left the Hotel Edelweiss Torla in the Huesca province of the Aragon region in the Spanish Pyrenees around 8.20am. Drove to the carpark of Parque Nacional Ordesa Y Monte Perdido in the valley of Ordesa in the Huesca province of the autonomous Aragon region in the Spanish Pyrenees and started walking around 9am. Richard took paths on the valley floor following the Arazas River upstream. Karen, Yvonne and I took the Senda de los Cazadores (Cazadores path) which is a steep 600 metres zig zag climb against a mountain backdrop to reach the Calcilarruego view point (Alt 1900 metres approximately) at about 10.20am. The Calcilarruego view point is located almost directly above the car park below and was the highest point in the walk. The balcony path started here and follows Faja de Pelay (Pelay strip) and gradually descended to the head of the valley, the Soaso cirque. There were spectacular views and forest walking. We stopped for morning tea around 11.30am at a lovely level alpine meadow area.Читать далее

  • Valle Ordesa Spanish Pyrenees Thu 28 Sep

    28 сентября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Followed the balcony path which gradually descended till our lunch spot inside the Circo de Soaso (Soaso cirque) Alt 1700 metres, with a view of the Cola de Cabello (Horse Tail waterfall) around 1pm. Yvonne and Karen used binoculars to look at people climbing to the refuge further on plus birds of prey flying near the top of the cliffs on the other side of the valley. Photographed the Cascada del Estrecho on the Arazas river from the valley path to the car park. Back at the car around 5.30pm and drove back to the Edelweiss Hotel Torla in the Huesca province of the Aragon region in the Spanish Pyrenees to shower and wash clothes. Dinner around 7.30pm pizza and tempura vegetables at a nearby restaurant. Back at the Edelweiss Hotel Torla in the Huesca province of the autonomous Aragon region in the Spanish Pyrenees around 9pm.Читать далее

  • Torla & Castillo de Loarre Fri 29 Sep

    29 сентября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Misread my watch in the dark and got up just before 6am. Just after 6am cows with cowbells were herded down the road in front of the hotel and Yvonne and I took photos. Breakfast around 7am. Left the Edelweiss Hotel Torla in the Huesca province of the autonomous Aragon region in the Spanish Pyrenees around 9.45am. We drove towards Castillo de Loarre in the Huesca province of the autonomous Aragon region in the Spanish Pyrenees and arrived around 11.45am. It was hot. We visited the well preserved romanesque castle and abbey. The earliest part was constructed in the 11th Century as a military fortress. Afterwards we had lunch in the castle cafe around 1.30pm.Читать далее

  • Riglos Spanish Pyrenees Fri Sep 29 2023

    29 сентября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Started driving to Casa Barranquero 30 Calle Santa Cruz Riglos in the Huesca province of the autonomous Aragon region in the Spanish Pyrenees after 2pm and arrived around 3pm. The B&B host got Richard to drive up an very steep narrow street to drop off bags. On the way down the car at one point was on three wheels with two feet of air under the fourth wheel. Sorted out where to park the car and getting our stuff organised. It was very hot around 30 degrees. Yvonne and I missed buying bread for breakfast as the little shop in the town had closed at 4pm (siesta?). We also checked where we might go for dinner and had a beer at a refugio eatery of sorts. At 5pm we left the B&B in Riglos in the Huesca province of the autonomous Aragon region in the Spanish Pyrenees and walked the 5.7km Camino del Cielo circular path behind the town. Highlights of the walk were flying and nesting Griffin Vultures that were really close at times. There were spectacular conglomerate rock formations and views. After we arrived back after sunset around 8.15pm the little shop was open with locals outside drinking beer. Yvonne and Karen went in and purchased bread and chocolate. Then we had dinner in the GR1 Refugio Yvonne and I visited earlier. Dinner around 8.30pm was salad and pork sausages with toast and tomato paste on top. Back to 30 Calle Santa Cruze Riglos in Huesca province of the autonomous Aragon region in the Spanish Pyrenees around 9.30pm.Читать далее

  • Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña Sep 30

    30 сентября 2023 г., Испания ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Up at 7am. Breakfast in the air B&B apartment at 30 Calle Santa Cruz Riglos in the Huesca province of the autonomous Aragon region in the Spanish Pyrenees . Left the two bedroom apartment around 9.30am. Visited the Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña in the Huesca province of the autonomous Aragon region in the Spanish Pyrenees arriving around 11.15am. We continued driving around 11.45am. A red squirrel ran out in front of the car and Richard stopped in time to avoid hitting it.Читать далее

  • Luz-Saint-Sauveur France Sat 30 Sep 2023

    30 сентября 2023 г., Франция ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Back on the road again crossed into France using the 9km Aragnouet-Bielsa cross-border tunnel under the Pyrenees. Arrived at B&B Residence Eterle, Soucastet 14 L avenue de Saint Sauveur, Luz-Saint-Sauveur in the Occitania region of the French Pyrenees around 5pm and met the concierge who let us in to unit 14 in building L. Paid 100 euro deposit and 60 euros extra linen charge with cash. Lots of basic things missing like toilet paper, tea and hand towels, dishwasher tablets and a dishwasher control knob. There was a dance festival in Luz-Saint-Sauver with crowds of people. We walked into the village and purchased groceries from a small supermarket. Returned to the unit and ate dinner around 7.30pm.Читать далее

  • Cirque de Gavarnie walk Sun 1 Oct 2023

    1 октября 2023 г., Франция ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    At 3am changed my watch to end daylight saving time only to find that Europe is on daylight saving time till the end of October. Breakfast around 8am. Left the B&B unit in Luz-Saint-Sauveur in the Occitania region of the French Pyrenees around 9.20am to drive to the walk in the Pyrenees National Park. We arrived at Gavarnie village in the French Pyrenees around 10am and started walking up the valley towards the Cirque de Gavarnie about 15 minutes later. I was wearing a thermal top. It was much colder than the Spanish Pyrenees as we were now on the north side of the mountain range and in shade most of the morning. We arrived at the base of the Grande Waterfall about 12.15pm and took photos. After which we headed down to the valley floor about 100 metres below about 12.30pm. There we had a picnic lunch in the sun till 1.45pm and where I finally took off my thermal jumper. After lunch we walked back to Gavanie village. We purchased coffee and started driving back to Residence Eterle unit 14 building L Avenue de Saint Sauveur, Luz-Saint-Sauveur in the Occitania region of the French Pyrenees around 3.40pm. Back at the unit we washed clothes and had a shower. Walked into the town to buy groceries and dinner. Unfortunately the supermarkets had closed in the middle of the day. For dinner we could only purchase pizza from practically the only place open around 7.30pm. Back at the B&B unit Residence Eterle, unit 14 building L, Avenue de Saint Sauveur, Luz-Saint-Sauveur in the Occitania region of the French Pyrenees around 8.15pm.Читать далее

  • Lac de Gaube walk Mon 2 Oct 2023

    2 октября 2023 г., Франция ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Up around 7am, breakfast and off from Residence Eterle, unit 14, building L, Avenue de Saint Sauveur, Luz-Saint-Sauveur in the Occitania region of the French Pyrenees to the local Carrefour to buy groceries for a picnic lunch and toilet paper around 8.30am. Drove to the parking area for the Lac de Gaube walk (1460 metres) in the French Pyrenees National Park, arriving around 10.30am. Walked to the nearby Pont de Espagne which once was the border between France and Spain. We then continued to Lac de Gaube (1800 metres). Yvonne and I arrived about 11.40am and Richard and Karen arrived a little later. Walked to the end of the lake and had lunch around 12.45pm, Left around 1.30pm and the sheep moved in to eat any crumbs we may left. Yvonne and I got back to the car park around 2.30pm. Coffee and crepes at La Chaumier (a tourist scenic waterfall view point) on the road back. After coffee we drove back at Luz-Saint-Sauveur in the Occitania region of the French Pyrenees to purchase groceries for dinner. We arrived at the B&B apartment around 4.30pm for showers and washing. Later we had dinner in the apartment.Читать далее

  • To Domme Dordogne Tue 3 Oct 2023

    3 октября 2023 г., Франция ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Up at 6.45am, shower, breakfast and the concierge service fellow came around 9.30am to inspect the apartment and returned the 100 euro cash deposit. Left Residence Eterle, Soucastet, 14 L, Avenue de Saint Sauveur, Luz-Saint-Sauveur in the Occitania region of the French Pyrenees around 10.45am. Picnic lunch in a beautiful nineteenth century village Gigouzac in the Occitania French region about 40 minutes drive before Cenac-et-Saint-Julienne in the Dordogne French region around 2pm. We arrived at the Domme hilltop town in Dordogne France around 3pm and we were able to get into the 3.30pm Grotte de Domme limestone cave tour which lasted 40 minutes. This cave has stalactites and stalagmites, straws and shawls. The entrance to the Domme cave is located under the 17th century Hall currently used as the tourist office. The cave extends under the stone houses of the village. Discovered in 1912, the cave was not really exploited until 1954. The current show cave route descended through three cave levels and is 450 metres in length.Читать далее

  • Domme Dordogne France Tue 3 Oct 2023

    3 октября 2023 г., Франция ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    After the cave tour Yvonne and I had coffee. We returned to the car using a different gate through the town wall passing cyclamen growing wild while walking outside the town wall. We arrived at the car around 5.15pm and drove to our accommodation at Cottage du Capiol en Perigord, Le Capiol, Cenac-et-Saint-Julien in the French Dordogne region and arrived around 6pm. The cottage was a three story semi with a different design and age to the attached buildings on either side. The ground floor had a bedroom which Karen and Richard used. The first floor had the living area. The attic is where Yvonne and I slept. Each floor was connected by steep curving staircases. At 7pm walked into Cenac-et-Saint-Julien to purchase dinner. Unfortunately the town did not have a supermarket or general store. However the patisserie sold us quiche and pastries which Yvonne and I had for dinner while Richard and Karen drove to another town to find a restaurant that was open for their meal.Читать далее

  • Dordogne River walk Wed 4 Oct 2023

    4 октября 2023 г., Франция ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Up at 7.45am and washed the in bath with a hand rose. Richard went to the patisserie and purchased croissants which we ate with breakfast 8.30am. Foggy morning. We left Cottage du Capiol en Perigord, Le Capiol, Cenac-et-Saint-Julien in the Dordogne French region and walked towards the Dordogne River around 10.30am. We then followed a riverside path beside the Dordogne river downstream to the village of La Roque-Gageac in the Dordogone French region. We purchased a salad lunch at a large open air restaurant around 12.30pm in the village of La Roque-Gageac and then walked back to our accommodation at Cottage du Capiol en Perigord, Le Capiol, Cenac-et-Saint-Julien in the Dordogne French region. On the way I photographed the town entry sign which had the name in two languages, French and Occitan. Occitan dialects are a result of the Latin influence on the language of the southern Gauls, whereas French has stronger Frankish influences. Of the 14 million inhabitants of the Occitan region, it is estimated that 600,000 people are fluent, whilst 1,600,000 individuals are occasional speakers. Occitan is spoken primarily in rural areas of Southern France, Monaco, the Val d'Aran region in Spain, and the Occitan Valleys in Italy. We arrived at Cottage du Capiol en Perigord,Le Capiol, Cenac-et-Saint-Julien in the Dordogne French region around 2.30pm. We then left about fifteen minutes later to drive to a winery co-operative. We tasted wine at Vin de Domme. Reds were the specialty and the quality was as good as Australia. The winery employee was patient and helpful considering our poor French and his limited English. Back at Cenac-et-Saint-Julien in the Dordogne French region around 4.15pm to buy groceries for dinner. We ate pasta with wine in our accommodation for dinner.Читать далее

  • Driving to Thoiry France Thu 5 Oct 2023

    5 октября 2023 г., Франция ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Up at 6.45am in the dark. We had breakfast and packed car for the nearly 600km road trip. Left Cottage du Capiol en Perigord, Le Capiol, Carnac-et-Saint-Julienne in the Dordogne French region around 9.30am. Lunch of a chicken roll at 11.45am in a motorway service centre. Yvonne drove from here. Theme for the day “another motorway another toll”. Stopped for a coffee at another service centre and Richard took over the driving. Arrived at the Best Western Park Hotel, 185 Avenue du Mont Blanc, Thoiry France and sorted out our luggage between check in and carry on to have less than 7kg carry on. We had dinner at a different hotel located almost next door where they gave us a discount because of where we were staying.Читать далее

  • Flying to Doha Qatar Fri 6 Oct 2023

    6 октября 2023 г., Франция ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Up at 6am and left the Best Western Park Hotel, 185 Avenue du Mont Blanc, Thoiry France at 7.20am to return the rental car. We had a problem free drive to the Hertz rental car area in the French part of Geneva Airport. As the rental desk was unattended we could only put the keys and papers in a slot. We then walked to the Swiss side of Geneva Airport crossing the border between France and Switzerland. We were only able to do this as we had airline tickets and boarding passes. On the Swiss side we joined long and slow queues for bag drop off, metal detection and passport processing. We were in our seats on the plane about 10 minutes before the scheduled takeoff at 9.50am. The flight took off after 10am and I took some photos from the window. Flight arrived in Doha Qatar around 4.45pm local time. We had 3 hours in the Hamad International Airport before our next flight (2 hours before boarding).Читать далее

  • Flying Doha Qatar to Sydney 6 & 7 Oct

    6 октября 2023 г., Катар ⋅ 🌬 32 °C

    Boarding commenced at 7pm local time at Hamad International Airport Doha Friday 6th October 2023 and the flight left around 8.15pm. The flight route was primarily over the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Arrived Kingsford Smith Airport at 6pm on 7 October 2023. Yvonne purchased some perfume and we were on the train around 7.15pm. We got home around 8.15pm.Читать далее

    Окончание поездки
    7 октября 2023 г.