Back in business again.

I am still in a very lazy summer mood. So let’s start with posting some pics from the summer holiday. While in Spain, Costa Brava, for two weeks with the family I didn’t manage to do much of anything besides the obvious laying on the beach, eating & drinking, sleeping and taking care of the kids. I was planning to do some mountain biking though – the area has alot of trails and even a mtb center in the city of Castell d’Aro. But the excess heat stopped me doing any biking; the temparatures of well over 30+ Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) were just too much for me. Gotta respect the local roadies on their training loops with no problems at all… Seems like the heat isn’t that bad if you are used to it.

Anyway, one day I went to do some hiking in the Pyrenees with a friend. We had a great day and got some ok pictures too.

This place, Val de Núria, is pretty easy to reach from Costa Brava and Barcelona area (check the previous link for some information and driving direcions). One can drive to the village of Ribes de Freser and take the Rack-Railway up to the Monastery in Val de Núria, which is the beginning point for numerous walks. Ribes de Freser even has a nice climbing/mountaineering/(randonnee) skiing shop, Ski & Mountain. The town itself was pretty cozy and the railway up to the monastery had probably the most dramatic views of the whole trip (it was actually mellower, more rolling up in the mountains). In wintertime Val de Núria also has a small scale  ski resort, which seemed not too exciting but the randonnee/ski touring possibilities around the valley should be worth checking out if the snow is good! I bet absolutely no crowds chasing the powder out there?

From the monastery in Val de Núria (in about 2000m above the sea level) we took the medium-level walking route to the top of  Puigmal (2913m) , which was pretty easy and got just enough challenge to our lazy bodies which were just used to the heat and easy beach life. Btw. the Monastery has some interesting history / legends around it… Get yourself e.g. a “Lonely Planet Spain” book and read more if you’re interested.

Ok, no more words this time. Pics tell the story much better anyway. Beautiful, isn’t it?