As promised, the report from last year:-
Saturday 19th to Saturday 26th Sep[tember.
Well, at last One F’s foreign trip was all ready to go. Only five people on the trip – you really missed a fantastic week – 4 lovely ladies and a rather lucky (and permanently smiling) One F. The ladies were: (from the Forum) Snowdon Lady and Elljay – and not from the Forum, but given honorary Forum names, The Spectator (and no, nothing to do with voyeurism – at least I don’t think so ) and The Lady of The Lake.
All met up at Stansted on Saturday lunchtime to catch the 3pm flight to Santander.
Saturday night at Posada Marina in Suances, with an ‘evening meal’, at Cafe Duo.
Sunday – we had a look at the headland above Suances and the Los Locos surfing beach. Then it was off to Santillana del Mar and a walk around the 12th century village. Next stop, Comillas with the Gaudi house, El Capricho and next door was the house/palace of the Marquis of Comillas. Then off to the Picos via Panes and drive through the very narrow Desfiladero de la Hermida. Stopped off at the 9th century church Santa Maria de Lebana. House was at Castro Cillorigo and the access was a bit eventful to say the least – almost took the barn roof off one morning.
Monday – off to Puente Poncebos in Asturias for the Garganta del Cares, the Cares gorge walk, to Cain and back. 13 miles and approx. 350 metres of ascent. (sorry to be confusing with both metric and imperial measures, but I’m a man .....). Hot sun and a lovely blue sky, lots of wildlife – two snakes (near to Cain), lizards, butterflies (especially the blue and the yellowy gold ones), vultures, goats, hairy caterpillars and some beautiful flowers. SL and TS set a furious pace on the return to Puente Poncebos – nothing to do with the fit and tanned young hombres in front of us though. Later they slowed to a snails pace – nothing to do with the stripped to the waist hombres going the other way though. Women – such fickle creatures.
Tuesday – Misty start but the forecast was good. Drove through Potes and on to Fuente De for the teleferico up to El Cable – by now the sky had cleared and the sun was shining. Fantastic views from El Cable. Set off on the track to Horcadine de Covarrobres (the col looking down to Refugio de Aliva), then on to La Vueltona, with the lagoons of Lloroza down to our left – although only one of them had any water in, apparently not unusual at this time of the year. A steady climb up and then a slight detour for SL, TS and TLOTL, up to the refuge of Cabana Veronica (cottage of Veronica) at 2325m high. Back down to the main path to meet yours truly and then up to the col at Horcados Rojos at 2344m. A steep climb then up to the summit of Torre de Los Horcados Rojos at 2506m high. Some banks of snow (remnants of the snow from the previous Friday) above 2200m and care was needed on the higher paths and the ascent/descent up and down from the summit. Fabulous views all around the Picos and beyond. Return to El Cable the same way. Approx. 9 miles and 708 metres of ascent.
Wednesday - Beautiful morning again. Off to St Vicente de la Barquera for a rest day by the sea. What a fantastic beach!! And the weather just couldn’t have been better. Steady walk on the beach for about 1km and back – lovely in the cool Cantabrian sea.
Thursday – Blue sky and hot sun yet again. Steady drive down the Desfiladero de la Hermida to Urdon and the long slog up the zig-zags to Tresviso (and back). Very hot day and it was hard work climbing the 825 metres on the continual ascent to the ‘shangri la’ that is Tresviso. Four workmen clearing the path of a scree fall, somewhere above Balcon de La Pilatos – must have been hard work in the hot sun. Watched some of the Griffon vultures in that area and later on, while cooling our feet in the Rio Deva, a couple of dippers appeared nearby. Approx. 8.5 miles.
Friday –Another cracking morning to greet us. Off to Espinama today. Parked up by the side of the road and took the path towards Pido and then up through the beech woods to the barn at Fuenfria. Lovely start to the day and a change from some of the landscapes seen earlier in the week. Dropped down to Fuente De and once again took the teleferico to El Cable. Pleasant coffee stop at the lookout with Griffon vultures circling close by. Steady climb up to the col at Horcadine de Covarrobres before dropping down the track , past Chalet Real (the former hunting lodge of the royal family) and then to Refugio de Aliva for another refreshment break. From the Refugio (more like a luxury hotel than a mountaineering hut) we dropped down to the small, and very remote, church of Santuca de Aliva for yet another ‘tea’ break. TLOTL fed and watered the Mastin sheepdog here – a friend for life, although I wouldn’t have wanted to get too close, not with those long sharp spikes (to combat wolves) sticking out from its collar. Long trek down to Espinama now, through Las Portillas (‘gates’) de Aliva and then past the pantiled barns at Invernales de Iguedre. Last drinks stop at the bar in the village square at Espinama. Approx. 10 miles and 400 metres of ascent, but with over 1100 metres of descent – ooh mi knees.
Saturday – sun shining again but, ah, the last day Off to Ruiloba only to find the pottery shut!! Next stop El Sardinero, the resort area of Santander – lovely beaches and a walk through the park by the old palace. Back to the airport and the flight home to the UK.
