Autumn forays in Benasque

We're into our final fortnight in Catalunya now and my parents have come out for a final visit. We joined them in the Pyrenees, in the very quiet and autumnal Benasque valley where we were blown away by both the beauty of the autumn colours and more literally by the change in weather!

Getting battered by the wind at the summit of Tuca del Cabellut. Aneto behind. Felt like I'd done 20 rounds in the boxing ring after this walk! 

A reminder of our next trip!

Traffic was murder on the way back down the valley! 

An inquisitive chap...

Rapidly discovering that number plates and tow bars don't taste that nice...

A sea of wool!

Autumn leaves in the valley...

Ali finds a new friend! This tiny little chap (christened Snuggles) was lame and had been left behind by the herd :-( We took him down to the valley bottom where someone called the shepherd. Hopefully he will have been reunited with his friends and family rather than put in the pot! 

More lovely colours along the valley...

A crisp morning after some serious rain overnight! 

Clouds clearing to reveal the first dusting of snow on the tops.

Crocuses were out in force in the meadows...

The berries almost looked nice enough to eat...

The Durham Ranger on an almost empty campsite... 

Pretty much the only other life at the campsite! 

The "hanging church" at Mont-Roig

Graham and Mary's final day and a visit to another of our local landmarks, the "hanging church" or "Ermita de la Mare de Deu de la Roca" if you want to be accurate. Perched up on a deep red sandstone promentary, this cute little church and surrounding buildings are a fun place to explore and enjoy views down the coast... 

Walking up through the olives groves from the town of Mont Roig.

Llaberia and the White Ball.

A walk to the "white ball", one of our local land marks perched up at Llaberia. A local in Llaberia has finally demystified its purpose - a radar station and TV antennae for TV3 (one of the national channels). A nice peaceful walk in limestone country - we saw more sheep than people!

Admiring the crags of Llaberia...

The ball in sight!

Views down to Coldejou, Montbrio and Reus. It was so clear today we could see Reus airport, Tarragona and beyond!

A pleasant spot for lunch. 

The ball also serves as a sun terrace, scratching post and sunshade...

Wandering around the pretty but sleepy village of Llaberia...

A very grandiose door knocker! 

Harvest time for almonds...

I believe these are fossilised leaves in the paving slabs rather than pen and ink drawings?!

A colourful dragonfly can't escape the cameras despite his best efforts! 

A walk at Montsant...

Another classic walk along the stunning Barrots edge at Montsant. Exposed paths, some via ferrata(!) and fine views - what more could you want?!

Starting out from the village of Morera de Montsant.

Climbing up the Barrots chimney...

Looking back down to La Morera...

A sunny spot for lunch.

Like father like son! 

Double photographers at work! 

I love these metallic signposts...

A couple of walkers looking very small back along the edge! 

Walking along the summit plateau, the Margalef valley down on the right. 

Heading down from the plateau, our old climbing haunt of Raco de Missa behind.

The path down getting a little hairy at times!