Wot…..no butties ?????

When I said that Camping El Redondo was a basic site…I meant it – however, it does have hot water,electricity…and toilet paper, the mark of a quality site !

I had arrived in the middle of Monday,found the gate closed, and no one anywhere…so, I decided to be cheeky..and just let myself in, hooked up to the electric, and got my stuff out, so that later on when the old guardian arrived he just muttered…and I still don’t know how much it will be, and I’m the only person here !

I had made myself comfortable, and had an early night ready for a good long walk today, as the night wore on the pitter/patter of rain danced on Wally’s roof, replaced by very starry skies, although it was too wet to go outside for a look,and by morning the rain was back.

What should I do, remain in bed, or venture out, the cloud seemed to be breaking, and the rain stopped, so off I set in sunshine – this picture was my last glimpse of the sun all day !

I set off to do a route called Vega de Liordes, http://reddeparquesnacionales.mma.es/parques/picos/guia_itinerarios_pr_25.htm  which climbed out of Fuente De, up into a mountain coll (Liordes), along a high plateau/valley, and down the other side back into Fuente De. I thought the views would be good, and would give me a good idea of my fitness.

Things started well, after a short time I was passed by a Spanish mountain biker, who was on a large circular route of the Picos, carrying his gear with him…as the path got steeper, the biker got slower, and I caught and passed him ! That was to be the last relief of the day, it started raining shortly after, and as I stopped to put my rain gear on (coat only !) the mountain biker joined me, as we both sheltered from heavy rain, under a fortunate tree, and spent 45 minutes there , whilst the rain belted down, eventually the biker set off, as he had to get where he was going (80 kms away!),I remained a short time, eventually the rain eased slightly,so I set off – should I go up…or down ?

I decided to carry on up, and continued making good progress, and the rain seemed to ease for a time. I had lunch in a deserted mountain refuge, quite hospitable….then, disaster….who’d packed the sandwiches ?-Not me, they remained in Wally’s fridge,potted beef,cracked black pepper on granary bread, prepared last night…I could almost taste them (but not swallow them !) I had to satisfy myself on emergency rations of a cereal bar,water  and a banana  ! Undeterred I went out into the now heavy rain again, along with accompanying claggy mist, as I continued up and into the crags above. Almost at the top I met 2 + 1 people coming down the other way- a busy day ! However the startling views that should have been…. were hidden behind the cloying mist, and rain.

Undeterred (and with no option) I carried on up over the top, through the high pass, along what was very similar rocky plateaus to those at home, unerringly keeping to the right track, and down the other side and into Fuente De…

A good days walk, but with disappointing views (none!), back to the campsite to test the showers(very hot !) and relax in Wally and dry off.I’ve left the butties in the fridge !

I’d climbed (and descended) 1130 mts (same as Ben Nevis) in 7 hours…and got soaked..Happy Days..