PYRENEES ADVENTURE 2012 (Part 8)

Monday 2 July 2012

Trip to Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park

Loud sound of an alarm clock on my bedside table snapped me right outta my sleep. For a moment, it felt like I didn't know where I was, and what was happening. I really am not the best example of a morning person, and getting up at 4.30am, anyone would probably struggle, beside the dog. Nero was up and ready, hovering around the room back and forth trying to get his toys out of the suitcase. When he couldn't get the suitcase open, he would come over trying to give my face a good morning wash. Then I heard him running downstairs. In less than few seconds loud noise of a falling chair carried through the cottage, followed by very familiar sound of Nero's squeaky rubber chicken. It sounded like thousands cats being strangled. Right away, I knew he found it and was now trying his best to get it out from a small bag, in which I hidden it last night. I've put it inside, zipped the bag up and hanged it over the chair. With the chair now being knocked down to the floor, he was working his way into the bag. Cursing out loud, I reached for switch on the bedside lamp and was ready to get up. My feet haven't even touched the floor yet and he was back upstairs. The look on his face just cracked me up. Tired, looking half angry, his eyes filled with great victory. His whole mouth was stuffed with the chicken, with only part of its legs hanging out. The more I laughed at him the sillier faces he was making. What a goof!!! He always finds a way to get me outta bed, that's for sure.

petrol stations with two types of diesel to choose from

Once up, I grabbed a quick shower, fixed some healthy breakfast and packed our rucksacks with water supply, some energy bars, enough for whole days trek and extra clothing. I opened up the terrace doors, and slowly the first signs of day light began to come through. It was 5.45am. We packed all stuff in the car, turned the GPS on and began heading for our day trip to Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. As we turned out from Figols into the mountain road, the sun slowly started to rise over the horizon. I pulled over at the side of the road on the highest located place above Figols (1080m) and enjoyed the magnificent sight! The time on my watch showed exactly 6.00am.

We drove from Figols to the town of Espot, located in the Espot Valley, east of the river Noguera Pallaresa.
The municipality is one of the entrances to the Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. From Figols it takes about an hour and 30 minutes drive. Roads still pretty empty at this hour, with occasionally a track or a police patrol car passing by. The weather started to immediately get warm once the sun climbed over the peaks, and settled on the picture blue sky, with temperature already reaching 24 degree Celsius. It was amazing to observe how the sun worked its way slowly into the valleys, giving the surrounding landscape a soft colouring. Half way into our journey the overall landscape of rather typical mediterranean climate began to radically change. The mostly dull colours of previously dry land turned into a green living paradise. Steep hills were covered in pine trees, cows were grazing near the streams on a fresh green grass in the valleys, and grey coloured mountains were proudly stretching their, in places snow caped peaks towards the sky. The air was crisp and the temperature was only 14 degree Celsius. However, the blue sky above promised a beautiful day.

Espot

To be continued....