What to do today, that was the question. We had two plans: if we could see the mountains, go up on the cable car for walking or, if not, drive around to do the top half of the Cares gorge. At the last minute we were teased by glimpses of mountains but when the curtain was closed we set off for the gorge. Before we set out, however, we photographed on of the poplar hawk moths that keep finding their way into the toilet block at night. Every morning we rescue them and release them in nearby vegetation.
It was a fairly long drive over two 5000 foot passes and then a long descent into the village of Caín, the beginning of the gorge. The drive over was remote in the extreme so to arrive in the tourist village of Caín was a surprise. It must be horrendous at the height of the season. As it was it was cheerfully busy but fine. We were quickly organised and off into the gorge. I thought I had experienced some dramatic gorges but this knocked them all into a cocked hat. We began close to the river walking through tunnels but quickly the river dropped away to provide gut wrenching views to the creamy turquoise torrent 1000 feet below with the cliffs above soaring another 3000 feet into the sky. The beautifully constructed path was relatively level and followed the amazing construction of the canal to feed the hydro-electric power plant at Poncebos. The canal was hypnotic, deep blue/green crystal clear water flowing smoothly but rapidly in a 10 foot deep canal often viewed, weirdly, at eye level. Botanical highlights included man, woodcock, late spider and Spanish early purple orchids along with beautiful ferns and dovesfoot and bloody cranesbills. Swordleaved helleborines and broomrapes were also found. A 'little blue' butterfly posed nicely as well, a pleasing find. The wild flower meadows we stopped by on the way in were superb and now so rare at home. We walked until we reached our far point from Sunday and then turned back, a distance of nine miles. Heather and Linda had turned back early so Peter and I did a 3 mph yomp to catch up. The technical term is knackering, warranting a cerveza grande in the bar followed by an excellent two course meal with wine coffee and digestif all for €15 each. And now it's goodnight campers.
It was a fairly long drive over two 5000 foot passes and then a long descent into the village of Caín, the beginning of the gorge. The drive over was remote in the extreme so to arrive in the tourist village of Caín was a surprise. It must be horrendous at the height of the season. As it was it was cheerfully busy but fine. We were quickly organised and off into the gorge. I thought I had experienced some dramatic gorges but this knocked them all into a cocked hat. We began close to the river walking through tunnels but quickly the river dropped away to provide gut wrenching views to the creamy turquoise torrent 1000 feet below with the cliffs above soaring another 3000 feet into the sky. The beautifully constructed path was relatively level and followed the amazing construction of the canal to feed the hydro-electric power plant at Poncebos. The canal was hypnotic, deep blue/green crystal clear water flowing smoothly but rapidly in a 10 foot deep canal often viewed, weirdly, at eye level. Botanical highlights included man, woodcock, late spider and Spanish early purple orchids along with beautiful ferns and dovesfoot and bloody cranesbills. Swordleaved helleborines and broomrapes were also found. A 'little blue' butterfly posed nicely as well, a pleasing find. The wild flower meadows we stopped by on the way in were superb and now so rare at home. We walked until we reached our far point from Sunday and then turned back, a distance of nine miles. Heather and Linda had turned back early so Peter and I did a 3 mph yomp to catch up. The technical term is knackering, warranting a cerveza grande in the bar followed by an excellent two course meal with wine coffee and digestif all for €15 each. And now it's goodnight campers.
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