Early to Bed...

Friday 21st May 2010 Had a lie in.. Read a book http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Girl_with_the_Dragon_Tattoo Did the washing Nice relaxing day, early to bed..... woke up at 1-50 a.m. by a group of Spanish who had obviosly come in a coach for a week/weeken, and were staying at the nearby lodges - not bothering about who they were disturbing -- me ! eventually got back to sleep after 2 hours, and promptly woken up at 7 a.m. by then up and about !! Time to go !

To the Foot of Naranjo de Bulnes

Thursday 20th May 2010

Another great day in prospect, early alarm call for 0700, up bright and early, and the sun already seemed hot overhead...may be a warm one today..

Drove to Poncebos, then turned onto a narrower track up towards Sotres, an old mountain village, and turned down an old rough track just short of the village, heading for a place called Pandebano (which I couldn't find on my map) intending to do a route up from there, along the Uriellu valley, to the Refuge Uriellu, at the base of the Picos most famous mountain...Naranjo de Bulnes. http://www.vivirasturias.com/asturias/cabrales/pandebano---vega-de-urriello---pandebano/es it may be classed as a 'walking route' but you'll find out (as usual) it was anything but !

As the track came to a sign saying...'agricultural traffic only,rural route' I thought I'd best park Wally on a roadside verge, near a collection of dilapidated buildings, presuming this must be Pandebano...

I set off up the rough track, which immediately climbed up a set of zig zags, higher and higher, and I knew I was in for a rough/tough day ahead, within minutes I was soaked to the skin from perspiration, and it was still just 10 a.m. !

After 40 minutes of steep climbing, several cars passed me - whoops I thought, maybe I could have brought Wally up here, although the track was fairly rough, and she's a tender old girl, who likes being pampered ! Around 50 minutes after i set off, and having climbed about 250 mts in the morning hot sun, I came upon the place where people obviously park..ah well, I'll just have to add it on to the route.

Leaving the rough track I set off across the plains of the Tenerosa, quickly catching and overtaking the only other people already on the track.. the gradient eased slightly and the views opened up both across the plain, and down the valley towards the village of Bulnes ,http://www.el-caminoreal.com/cabrales/funicular.htm, an interesting hill village.

I settled into a good pleasant pace across the plains, and around the hillside on my ever upward journey.. As i got to the top of the pass,the views opened up for me towards the distant objective,which seemed to be surrounded by an awful lot of snow - I was well prepared, shorts and summer boots,no gaiters, altgough I had my two walking poles which I would need !

As I was drinking in the view,looking forward to crossing the distant snow patches, a couple of spaniards caught me up, saying something like ' It's too snowy from here, dangerous, we should turn round' Not Likely, it looked great...so thanking them off I went, up the hillside and towards the snow line..

As initially I just had to cross banked snow across the track, I wondered what the bloke had been worrie d about, but as I turned the corner, I looked above to see a vast expanse of snow surrounding the mountain, and my objective...

Onward and upward I carried on, as the snow got deeper, and deeper, and softer, the track had dissapeared beneath the snow, although I could generally follow it because of the paint flashes on the rock.

I trudged ever upwards, no one seeming to have come this way during the season, which I couldn't beleive, there must just have been fresh snow, and I was having to make the trail ( again!)

The sun by now was overhead, and beating down on me, reflecting back off the snow, and was very hot..

Eventually, having to work out which way round the mountain I needed to go, I found the Uriellu Refuge at 1960 mts, it was 1-40 p.m. by then..the key was in the door, and no one around !

As I sat and took a breather, I was able to wring out my socks and boots, lay out my shirt to dry, and have a well earned rest and refreshment !

I had the place to myself, apart from some birds seeking the crumbs..until around 2 p.m. when a young couple surfaced having followed my great trail!

and eventually another 5 people..all grateful for my trail - at least I think that's what they said !

At 2-30p.m. whilst the wine was being poured in the refuge, I set off for my return journey, back down the same trail (although I had some diversions)

and back to Wally for 5-50 p.m. ! Exhausted to say the least...

A great day had been had, 1200 mts of climbing, 7 hours and great fun !

As I was getting changed, a Spanish chap came sadly down the road,looking pretty fed up - until I offerred him a lift down to Poncebos, which he took with Relish, even though I refused his offer of a drink in the Tavern. as the roads were a bit scary to drive down after drinking !!

I celebrated with a meal at the nearby bar that night, and slept soundly !!

A gentle ride ...

Wednesday 19th May

I'd decided to reward myself after the hot day I had before,and so lay in bed, waking around 8 a.m., and lay there watching the sun burn the clouds off the nearby hill tops...

it's a tough life but someone's gotta do it !

I thought the day would dissapear with me doing lots of nothing,

until late afternoon when I decided I would find a gentle road to ride along, and look at the local scenery !!

As I've said before, there's no such thing as gentle road in Spain - not in the mountains anyway... I set off from the campsite,through the village of Arenas de Cabrales, along the main road, which steadily climbed into the distance, passing a 'Picturepoint' where in the distance could be seen the imposing sight of Naranjo de Bulnes, one of the famed sights of the Picos (and one which I intended seeing at close quarters)up and up went the road, then started winding back on itself...always a sign of never ending steep hills...not to be dissapointed I carried on, ever upwards, until an hour late, and still the road climbed....

enough I decided, turned round and took the swift (very swift) ride back to the campsite !!

I spent the rest of the day sorting out which walks I was doing in the area !

Cain....and back Again !

Tuesday 18th May 201

Up and about very early (well,early for me, anyway !)

around 7 a.m. packed wally ready for the Road, did sandwiches and food for a long day, and set off to do the 'Spectacular' Cares Gorge route, http://www.walkingeurope.info/walks/walks/walk_descrip/6110/

a pretty gentle,undemanding walk, although I intended to do it twice ! -there...to Cain, and back again.

I decided after the days before parking problems to park just short of PuertoPoncebos at the car park for the Funicular to Bulnes, where I had seen a reasonable size car park, and by going early thought I would be able to park fairly easily.

I wasn't wrong, there was only another car on the car park,and so picking my spot for an easy esacpe,when it was cluttered later I set off around 9-20 a.m...what a time to start,but already the sun was hot and beating down.

As I set off on the trail I could see in the distance a lonely figure ahead,although that person headed off away from the trail after a short time.

I was that early that I seemed to be the only person, walking along the trail that followed the gorge from Poncebos, all the way to Cain, above the River Cares,and alongside a man made canal, which takes water through the mountains alongside.

Looking ahead was a great sight, hot sun, steep ravine either side, and all the time accompanied by the sound of the water in the River below..

I kept going and going, the sun was higher and higher in the sky it felt really warm, as the Sun had finally started putting in an appearrance in the Picos !

It's hard to describe the sights I saw that day, just all along as you walked ,after the initial climb out of Poncebos, it was a relatively gentle undulating walk, with the Ravines and mountains above you on either side, and because I had set out early, no signsor sounds of anyone - Great !

Just as I was almost in Cain, around 12-30 p.m. I started to meet a few people, who were obviously just setting out to walk to Poncebos, where I had come from.

Arriving in Cain http://www.bugbog.com/walking_tours/spain.html

it was a pleasant little hill village, which obviously thrived on providing meals for the no doubt hordes of tourists, who arrive during the summer months walking the gorge--

not this pensioner though, I'd done my butties, and found a shady place to stop and eat ( and cool down) I did treat myself to an 'Exotic'ice lolly though, before setting off on the return route...

As you can imagine , by then the Sun was well up in the sky, mad dogs and englismen were the only ones out in the middaysun ! although I didn't see many mad dogs, plenty of idle ones lying about in the shade though..

As I was in Cain, and leaving for my return journey I was going against what seemed like a 'tide' of humanity, as loads of people appearred from the Gorge, obviously intent on a lazy lunch...

I travelled back along the trail, seeing an entirely different view of the Gorge,whilst the Sun pounded down on my head - by this time the Foreign legion sun cap had well and truly been called into service.

After a short time I once again had the trail to myself, and apart from the heat had a rather unremarkable journey back to Poncebos...apart from cracking my head on a low rock tunnel through the mountain, leaving me seeing more stars than I had whilst already in Spain !!

Arriving back at Poncebos around 4 p.m. I was well pleased with myself..those left lunching in Cain would not be back for many hours yet !

Poncebos was littered with cars, but I found Wally ready to take me home, having selected my site well !

I drove back to Arenas..so early even the Supermarket hadn't opened for the evening, but I return later for some BBQ Items !

I treated myself to a BBQ, loads of cold beer, and a wonderful shower,

a great day, hard to describe.

Stuck at the Top -- what to do ??

Monday 17th May 2010 I was up bright and early today, packed Wally for the road, and off we set... back along the windy and doubling back road of the Hermida gorge..http://travel.viamichelin.com/web/Destination/Spain/Tourist_Site-Desfiladero_de_la_Hermida-_ and through other more gentle roads, to Arenas de Cabrales where I intended to base myself for the next few days http://www.asturiasguide.com/Arena-de-Cabrales.html As I got there early in the day I decided to drive up into the hills, and work out where I should go for some of my intended routes... Puerto Poncebos was my original destination, and through the small village, towards the start of the Carres Gorge...a 'spectacular 'walk, and one I would definitely be doing in the week.. I drove up the road, which turned into a track, and got rougher and rougher,then suddenly finished in a dead end, where the Spanish tourists had parked tightly on either side of the road, and in the 'turning space' that I couldn't turn round ! OOOOps Wally was stuck, I tried several times to turn in what limited space there was, even at one stage enlisting the help of a bemused Spanish chap,who did his best to help,but it was impossible...what to do ? I decided the only was was to Reverese the entire length of rough track, about 150 mts, between tightly parked cars, and round several twists and turns !-- But, just as i started the plan, help was at hand -- the Spaniard who had parked in the turning space re-appearred ( Thank God !) and having moved his car I was able to turn Wally round in the track, and drive out...Phew !! I decided the best thing to do was set up camp, and have a rest !! I found the campsite http://www.desdeasturias.com/alojamientos/campings/camping_naranjodebulnes/index.asp?loc=8 booked in, and settled down for a rest !! It was supposed to have been a gentle day !!

Still Going Strong !!

Saturday 22nd May 2010 Hi Everyone, just to let you know that Jotown will be back on t'internet, reporting on a week of mountain adventures, just as soon as he has a lie down, some good food, and cools down. Back in Turieno having done a full tour of the Picos de Europa, with mountain gorges, snow clad hills, routes to lead and many more bike rides !! Watch for more as it comes !!

Jotown on the Up..again

Sunday 16th May 2010

I've given Saturday a miss....it was raining again, and I read a book, and went out for a lazy meal !!

The sun was due to be shining..and it was !!

First things first, it was a special Birthday of my Grandson Tristan, and so early in the morning ( probably earlier than his parents expected _ sorry !) I rang the Birthday Boy, and sent him my good wishes..

here's what I recorded later for him .....!!

On the recomendation of the lady from the campsite, I went to the one o'clock mass at the Monastery of St Toriebo ( No, I'd not just had a lie in, cause I'd had too much wine the night before...although it may have been a contributing factor) I set off on the trek to church, which took me over an hour, but in the sunshine, very pleasant ( and I had my suntan oil on !)

After mass I trekked my way back to the campsite, but I'd figured out a shortcut...and so took about 1/2 hour off my return journey...I had lunch and finished another book..the last of Dot's ...

I sat in the sunshine for a while, it was pleasant, although out of the sun it was still rather cool...and decided I couldn't just sit there all afternoon..

and so I decided to get the Road Bike out, and ride as far as I could towards Fuente De....as long as I passed my previous point I would be happy !

It was around 4 p.m. as I started on the road towards Fuente De.... over 20 Kms, and a climb of 800mts or so, impossible I thought, but I'd go until I couldn't manage any further...and off I set...

the first point of 'no return' was going past my previous high point, and already I was feeling the strain...but onwards and upwards I carried on towards the clouds in the distance...

I kept managing to take a break in the shade of any trees at the roadside, as cars and motorbikes whizzed by me, on their seemingly easy climb up the never ending hilly road...

it seemed to be getting hotter and hotter, as the evening sun bore down on my never ending upward trek...

I decided that I would get up to the top of a hill, which I thought gave me a view of the valley and Fuente De area, and I decided I would stop, without descending -- I thought I would never get back up again,but, I'd been confused...there was no top, and descent, just a never ending grind as I pushed onwards and upwards, imagining I was in the 'Tour de France' and leading the peloton...(it's no wonder all the Spanish riders, are tiches, and able to climb hill as if they were on the flat...Miguel Indurain, eat your heart out !), suddenly I was faced with the roadsign 'Espinama',,, which I knew to be only 3 or 4 kms from Fuente De, surely I couldn't make it ?, as I rode into the small village, there seemed to be great crowds on the street (there's only one street in Espinama..) and so with a great burst from the weary legs I blasted through the township, ever upwards towards Fuente de ( although I could have done with an ice cream..and rest),

carried on I did, the impossible seemed to be achievable as I carried on pushing the pedals towards the rise before Fuente De, where I would definitely stop.....but, what was this ? no rise seemed to be on the horizon, just never ending punishment as the road continued to drag me ever upwards, and unceasing...

Then, the unthinkable happened...I coasted along the road, past the Hotel at Fuente De http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/parador/spain/fuente-de.html

the end was in sight...surely I couldn't have made it all the way...

YES, I had, Fuente De was no longer a dream for my sore bum, and tired legs.. I had made it, and pushed on to the cable car station, and cafeteria beneath.... I expected the crowds to cheer (they didn't !), but no matter as I propped my trusty steed along the fence, and treated myself to a lemony type ice cream...what an afternoon, I'm sure there were many admiring glances from the ' car tourists' who could only dream of being able to do this route on a bike...

I had climbed 20 kms, 800 mts(2600 feet) in 1 hour 45 minutes...

After taking some pics, and having a short rest I zoomed back to the campsite...it only took 30 minutes, with a top speed of 42 mph !!averaging around 25mph.....and chilly as the wind whipped around me as I descended like a great Road cyclist....(all over the Road)...

Back to the campsite for 7-30 p.m., quick shower, change and full 3 course meal as my Sunday treat !!

On the move again tomorrow, so not sure whether I will have internet connections,,,

until the next time .....Adios