Thursday, 9 August 2012
Tremp to Organya
Time is now of the essence . Chris is booked to fly home Sunday and we wanted to arrive in Ceret Fri evening so he and Sue had at least a day together - but that looks to be cutting it a bit fine now .
But - amazingly - Tremp has a railway station . I know what you're thinking - but if you've got to - well its only a couple of stops - just to get us back on track . So we took the 7-50 train out of Tremp to La Poblar de Segur where fortunately -or unfortunately ( depending on ones view ) the train terminated. However - it did save us 25 km - or more importantly 2 hours - and a lovely short journey it was -running all the way next to the river La Noguera .
After that it was rather hard to get ones legs back in cycling mode - but once going - and into 'the rhythm' we just sailed along -
groaning with our aches & pains on the way .
The ride across the Serra Del Boumont - through the Coll de Llivia was stunning - and not as arduous as the previous day . No cafes up there so we lunched on chorizo sausage and peaches bought in Tremp - perfect .
Now the best bit - last nights meal . Chris had a large San Miguel - I had a glass of local cava - he had baby squids to start - I had tomato & basilica gaspaccio - and for main course Chris had rabbit stew with lentils - for me lamb chops. We both had cheese cake with ice cream to finish -with a rather large Spanish cognac . And - of course - a carafe of the local vino tinto to wash all this down . Cost ?
17€ each ! CU
roger786.nicola@blogger.com
Sent from my iPhone
But - amazingly - Tremp has a railway station . I know what you're thinking - but if you've got to - well its only a couple of stops - just to get us back on track . So we took the 7-50 train out of Tremp to La Poblar de Segur where fortunately -or unfortunately ( depending on ones view ) the train terminated. However - it did save us 25 km - or more importantly 2 hours - and a lovely short journey it was -running all the way next to the river La Noguera .
After that it was rather hard to get ones legs back in cycling mode - but once going - and into 'the rhythm' we just sailed along -
groaning with our aches & pains on the way .
The ride across the Serra Del Boumont - through the Coll de Llivia was stunning - and not as arduous as the previous day . No cafes up there so we lunched on chorizo sausage and peaches bought in Tremp - perfect .
Now the best bit - last nights meal . Chris had a large San Miguel - I had a glass of local cava - he had baby squids to start - I had tomato & basilica gaspaccio - and for main course Chris had rabbit stew with lentils - for me lamb chops. We both had cheese cake with ice cream to finish -with a rather large Spanish cognac . And - of course - a carafe of the local vino tinto to wash all this down . Cost ?
17€ each ! CU
roger786.nicola@blogger.com
Sent from my iPhone
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
Estadilla to Tremp
This was a tough one . I missed having my coffee & croissant this morning . We were ( are ) still short of where we wanted to be after day 5 - so we got up ,got ready and were on our way by 7 . A 2 hour catch up was just what was required and everything seemed so straightforward in the coolness of the morning .
Our plan was to stop at Benebarre ( where were hoping to stay the night before ) at about 10 for late breakers - but the climb was really knackering - not steep - but always rising . And there was this nagging breeze which was always in your face - which ever direction you were going . So 10-30 we arrive - 1/2 an hour late ! Where does the day go to when you're having fun !
Another 2 hour indurance test to
Pont de Montanyana - which took 2 1/2 hours then right to go over the Montsec range - which is higher than the Alps - or so it felt - destination Tremp .
I've never seen a sign post 'cyclists beware' before . But there was one and it was sure apt ! Anyway that ride took us 3 hours - so we arrived in Tremp @ 4 - still 2 hours behind. No time to do anymore - so it was straight to the bar . Looking back ....well I wished I had had my coffee & croissant - and damn the clock !
Last night Estadilla was great - apart from the climb to get to there! All the old men were playing dominos in the square - and the wives tended to congragrate round the fountain . Chit chat and laughter - never saw a drink being bought .
We had a tapist super watching the Olimpics in the bar and we really enjoyed the evening . CU
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Our plan was to stop at Benebarre ( where were hoping to stay the night before ) at about 10 for late breakers - but the climb was really knackering - not steep - but always rising . And there was this nagging breeze which was always in your face - which ever direction you were going . So 10-30 we arrive - 1/2 an hour late ! Where does the day go to when you're having fun !
Another 2 hour indurance test to
Pont de Montanyana - which took 2 1/2 hours then right to go over the Montsec range - which is higher than the Alps - or so it felt - destination Tremp .
I've never seen a sign post 'cyclists beware' before . But there was one and it was sure apt ! Anyway that ride took us 3 hours - so we arrived in Tremp @ 4 - still 2 hours behind. No time to do anymore - so it was straight to the bar . Looking back ....well I wished I had had my coffee & croissant - and damn the clock !
Last night Estadilla was great - apart from the climb to get to there! All the old men were playing dominos in the square - and the wives tended to congragrate round the fountain . Chit chat and laughter - never saw a drink being bought .
We had a tapist super watching the Olimpics in the bar and we really enjoyed the evening . CU
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, 6 August 2012
Biscarrues to Estadella
Strange old place last night . Although it was a casa rural we have stayed in better . Bit musty - but clean enough . We had our own kitchen - with a tv - and spent most of the evening watching the Olympics .
We ate in a bar across the road but being Sunday there was not a lot on offer - you know - a couple of stale tapis left over from lunch time - that sort of thing . But Chris did a wonderful Pooh Bear impersonation to the bar owner ( rubbing stomach in a circular motion with left hand whilst pointing to mouth with index finger of right ) . Apparently -
says Chris - this works time & time again - especially at home - and never fails to get sympathy . Well - fair do's - it did work and the lady cooked us some chicken n chips with deep fried eggs . Bloody lovely !
We started this morning with a 20km cycle ride to Ayerbe. Turned right along the A132 into Huesca . We were planning to stay here last night but with all the paraphernalia of taking the wrong turn in the morning we never managed to make up the time . Which was a shame - cos Huesca is a lively,bubbly town full of proper shops and working people . We got there for in time elevenses and had a rather sumptuous apple tart with a caffe con leche . The weight is just falling off us .
We saw the sign to Biscarrues at about 4.30 . It sounded perfect - just 3km away with a mountain stream running through and - so says the sign post - activities to suit any outdoor enthusiast - like what we are . Well , to be quite honest , I've never been on such a f.....g steep 3km climb in my life ! CU
Sent from my iPhone
We ate in a bar across the road but being Sunday there was not a lot on offer - you know - a couple of stale tapis left over from lunch time - that sort of thing . But Chris did a wonderful Pooh Bear impersonation to the bar owner ( rubbing stomach in a circular motion with left hand whilst pointing to mouth with index finger of right ) . Apparently -
says Chris - this works time & time again - especially at home - and never fails to get sympathy . Well - fair do's - it did work and the lady cooked us some chicken n chips with deep fried eggs . Bloody lovely !
We started this morning with a 20km cycle ride to Ayerbe. Turned right along the A132 into Huesca . We were planning to stay here last night but with all the paraphernalia of taking the wrong turn in the morning we never managed to make up the time . Which was a shame - cos Huesca is a lively,bubbly town full of proper shops and working people . We got there for in time elevenses and had a rather sumptuous apple tart with a caffe con leche . The weight is just falling off us .
We saw the sign to Biscarrues at about 4.30 . It sounded perfect - just 3km away with a mountain stream running through and - so says the sign post - activities to suit any outdoor enthusiast - like what we are . Well , to be quite honest , I've never been on such a f.....g steep 3km climb in my life ! CU
Sent from my iPhone
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