Day 23 – at Rio Arado

I’m in and out of any internet signal up here. Strangely, it was strongest in the wind and rain when I arrived. It was a day clear of rain today, and without wind also. It ranges from nothing at all, to 2G, to 3G, and occasionally 4G. It puts many vans off staying here. A Polish couple saw my van from afar, and came and settled a bit lower in the car park. They stayed about half an hour. Once they realised they had no signal they were off.

I took advantage with a three hour hike into the mountains this morning and an hour on the bike this afternoon.

Above the treeline here is about 1000 metres. Rather than meteorological conditions, it’s because the terrain is so unsuitable, very rocky. I hiked to a Curral, an area of pasture where the shepherd brings their cattle, goats and sheep in the summer months. The word simply means corral or animal pen. The family, in most cases, will also move up to the high pasture and live there with them.

Ironically, on of my last hikes while away was in Hemsedal in Norway, where I met several farmers bringing their animals down for winter.

This particular Curral has only a small area of pasture, and by the looks of the building, is no longer used.

Thanks for the information from Sue, that the processionary caterpillars season is very short, about six weeks, and a message from my brother, that their red fox lab also keeps clear of them, suggesting they give off some sort of unpleasant odour. Let’s hope that’s the case.