Safe Return Doubtful

Day 55 – to San Lorenzo Pass (1347 m) Yesterday I had driven up to Alto de Farrapona at 1708 metres to undertake the trek around the high lakes. But I was defeated by the wind. It is possible to stay overnight up there, but yesterday it wasn’t even possible to…

Day 54 – to Pola de Somiedo Midway through the night the cold conditions gave way to strong winds. Needing to get up in the night for a number one is one of the pleasures of life in the van. At home it seems so much of a bind. Here,…

Day 53 – at Outier, Somiedo National Park Pealing back the porthole window curtain after the usual Roja wet nose alarm at just after 7:30, a light snow covering was evident outside, so it was slower than usual progress; some extra reading, one more cup of coffee before I go……

Day 52 – to Outier, Somiedo National Park Twenty days since any rain, but it was a rainy morning today. At this time of year the temperature drops considerably also as a front comes through, it was a maximum of 7C this morning. I finished my William Boyd novel, which…

Day 51 – to Villaseca de Laciana I’ve just started reading William Boyd’s new novel, I am a big fan of his. This, The Romantic, tells the story of a man’s life, born in 1799 and lived until he was 82. His best novels have taken a similar pattern, Any…

Day 50 – to a Refugio above Páramo del Sil I drove southwest for twenty kilometres or so, over a pass on a road full of potholes to the town of Páramo del Sil, which was pretty quiet on an Easter Monday. In the last 10 days I’ve almost done…

Day 49 – to Trabáu Saturday night is always a bit later to bed than usual, and often with a Talisker. I watched a good new French drama film, called La Nuit de 12, before I was tempted. It did well at Cannes, and is a thought-provoking and different take…

Day 48 – to Trabáu Pass (1078 m) A cool morning with the only sign of life being a fly-fisherman in the river. The Spanish generally aren’t early risers, especially on this long weekend. I wandered into the town get some bread, then we packed up and departed, filling up with…

Day 47 – to A Proba de Navia My objective today was the main ridge of the Bierzos mountains, which lay to the west. Yesterday I had headed east on the ridge. Being the holiday weekend, it did mean there were a few other people around, but really very few.…

Day 46 – to the Ancares Pass (1669 metres) My business this morning centred around sorting what was needed for the Easter weekend, as shops close this afternoon until Tuesday in most cases. Job One – water fill up.. Job Two – take out the trash Job Three – supermarket…