One Last Spanish Pyrenees Hike and Hondarribia
This was our last Pyrenees hiking day. Not only was it sunny and HOT but also a mere 8-miler. Oh joy of joys... The van dropped us off at almost the same spot we stopped yesterday in Selva de Oza. The trail started by crossing the Rio-Aragon-Subordan and then it climbed steeply up to the Collado de Petraficha (pass). Today, there really were magnificent views of the Castilla de Acher and Bisaurin mountains and, for the first time, we saw other hikers. Groups of hikers spread all over this area.
The group took time walking down, enjoying the wonderful sun, resting now and then, no one in a hurry on this beautiful day. There was a Basque shepherd shearing his sheep in the middle of the sunny meadow, right under a Pyrenees sign, wildflowers, blue sky...what a fantastic way to end the trip...with great memories.
The path continued its descent into and through the very green basin of the Zuriza Valley where the van waited. ...View image. ..
Miguel went into the baggage storage area of the van and pulled out....his accordion! ....He started playing....we started dancing.....View image.... it was still sunny, hot and all the rain, sleet, hail, snow, tough days were instantly forgotten. Isn't it wonderful how easily you can wipe some bad moments out of your mind? At least I can...
After lunch, a three-hour drive along mountain roads to Hondarribia,...View image (or Fuenterrabia) ...a picturesque coastal fishing village near the French border. It has a walled town, a square dominated by a Parador (formerly a Palacia) originally started by Sancho the Strong of Navarra (I just love that...Sancho the Strong...) A very beautiful little town in this Basque country. ...View image
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A big farewell dinner with this great group of people. Promises from Gary to send candy...Dick, to send some photos...and they all left for home. ex-Marine and I continued a short way down the coast to San Sebastian for two days. It was time for a little R&R.
