Dwti Draig

After escaping Le Barrier, we drove inland on some incredibly twisty turny roads to try to delay going on the dreaded peage (toll) roads towards Spain. Yes, they are faster, but also a lot more spendy, especially as a big vehicle. Despite looking at toll calculators we still remained rather bemused by it all, and were constantly surprised by A, when they would appear, and B, how much they would cost! I sat for miles with my bank card clutched in my sweaty hand ready to do the Dive of Fear out of the high passenger window to try to reach over and press the right button. When one approaches it all becomes very serious inside the truck. Lyn has to approach the correct lane (we have no tag which means we can’t sail right on through) and he has to approach cautiously, at the right speed and angle to ensure I can reach out enough without him having to hang on to my feet to stop me toppling out! Only once has he had to reverse back to recorrect; he won’t make that mistake again. Of course he also has to stop at the precise alignment that I am right next to the correct part of the machine. It’s all very complex! We managed to hit 4 toll booths in our journey south, at a cost of over 50E.

We soon crossed the border, and stopped off at a massive Carrefour hypermarket, which was in a big shopping mall, where every other shop seemed to be closed. Maybe it was siesta time and they had all gone home for a snooze? We passed up the urge to buy a cooker or washing machine in the supermarket and concentrated on groceries and were very proud of ourselves for not visiting the chocolate or alcohol aisle. Look at us being all healthy!

The scenery we had driven through in France had been lovely, but the journey into Spain was something else, especially once the Pyrenees came into view. I had to pinch myself to remember how I had crossed them on foot during my Camino Frances 3 years ago, and then gave thanks today that I was in a big beastie and not crying and collapsing in 38 degree heat with my rucksack. The road was so interesting, so many twists and turns, with beautiful lush green scenery and even a few views of the sea. 

The scenery became even more spectacular once we turned off the big roads to head towards our next park up. We had decided to risk another stay at a car park managed by Le Barrier people. It looked like an idyllic little spot, and the journey took us over some amazing empty mountain roads with spectacularly vast views. We stopped at one point and climbed up to take in the amazing 360 degree views. The wind was strong, which was lovely as it was 28 degrees. 

We journeyed on to our park up, and found a French motorhome also at the entrance, and guess what? They were struggling with Le Barrier! Another French lady came over to help them, but to no avail, so they pulled over to let us through. Amazingly we got through first time, with no Le Barrier problems. I then used my non existent Grade C O level French to try to help her, and discovered they had not downloaded the app, and had no signal to download it. Aha, this is something I could help with, so I gave her a hot spot from my phone, whilst the other lady downloaded the app for her and helped her sort it. After about 30 minutes they were through. The lovely lady was so grateful she kissed me and the other lady for helping her. She then came over to invite us and the other couple over for an impromptu little party on a picnic bench. They brought wine and snacks, we took alcohol free gin and crisps, and the other people brought nuts. What more could we want, an hour or two of travelling stories with the help of Isobelle’s good English and Google Translate. It’s what travelling is all about, especially when we met another fabulous British couple called David & Janette who we really bonded with.

We really have managed to find the most beautiful idyllic little park up! It’s so gorgeous we have been here four nights already, and I’m dreading leaving tomorrow. Imagine a tiny medieval village, peched high up, with windy little cobbled streets and beautiful ancient houses that overhang the streets below, with gorgeous window boxes full of flowers. Got that image in your head? Now imagine a dramatic castle perched above it overlooking the valleys surrounding us. Now picture a river running through, with a picturesque medieval arched bridge spanning it. Now imagine it empty of tourists and just 275 inhabitants, with just one bar overspilling onto the cobbled strteets with umbrellas to shade you from the blue skies and 34 degree sun. Yep… Frias. Somewhere I have never heard of before, but will remember forever. 

For me, this is why we travel. To find these hidden gems that make such an impression on your heart and soul. I couldn’t have loved our days here more… from evening walks up to the castle, to sunset walks across the medieval bridge. 

 

We walked through forest paths up to the neighbouring village of Tobera, which amazingly has a thousand waterfalls and cascades, and again, just one sleepy bar/cafe, where we managed to get coffee when they opened at 11am; coffee sat watching a huge waterfall, after just having got out from swimming in the freezing pool below it. Life just doesn’t get any better.

We even managed to get a run in! We learnt the hard way to get any exercising done early in the morning, where the misty river and valley took on an otherwordly feel. By 11am it is too hot to do anything other than relax with my kindle as Lyn takes the bike out for a spin. He has been gone for over 3 hours and over 100 miles. He has loved taking it over high mountain passes and plateaus, soaking in the empty vistas. 

No apologies for the spam of photos; I want to be able to read this back in a few years time and look at the photos and transport myself back. What if we’ve peaked too early on this holiday and it’s all downhill from here?