DAY 14. June 11th. CANFRANC TO SALLENT DE GALLEGO. 10.15 hours.

Exciting day. Leave Canfranc on the bus at 8.45 and generous bus-driver lets us off at at Canal Roya. Rain, mud, water. Difficult river crossings, wet boots, socks etc. Deer. Up, up, up and then snow. Traversing and then over the snow-covered lakes (guided by GPS) at 2700m. Very wet feet. Rain, sun, rain, sun. Adrenalin. Crossing rivers, wet feet again. Hungry. Long way down. Very boring after ski-station and lose the path as it disappears where there is a new road. Climb under wire fences many times. Prames says to walk the road but it’s very fast and big…..getting sick of Prames. Somehow find our way. Buy chocolate in petrol station, at least another hour to Sallent and very sore, wet feet. Arrive Sallent and albergue is locked up. Call number and go to buy provisions. Go to Bar Casino after nearly dying slipping in the shower in the school-like Albergue Foratata (€48 for room with 2 bunks and sink.) Beers and plan to change route tomorrow due to snow and altitude. Call FEEC for advice but they only say to call the weather service but don’t know the number…..!!! Call the Casa de Piedra in Panticosa who say noone is getting through the GR11 this week and last week only with crampons. They recommend another route. Average and solitary dinner in restaurant opposite pizzeria, menu €15. Have to ask Sandy to move from bunk above me during the night due to terrible creaking. No staff, no guests.

DAY 15. June 12th. SALLENT DE GALLEGO TO BALNEARIO DE PANTICOSA

Flat route to the town of Panticosa, sunny and pleasant. Feeling good but we are all generally tired. Lunch in Bar Escalar in Panticosa where they are very friendly and make good sandwiches. Sandy in pain and the way to Balneario is along the road but decide that €25 for a taxi is too much…..mistake. 8km of narrow, dangerous road with huge lorries and lots of hairpin bends. According to my Prames map not many bends but the reality is the opposite. Sandy limping badly. Balneario de Panticosa is a weird and maybe wonderful, but I’m not sure, mix of falling down “Victoriana”, wild-west style buildings, state-of-the-art modern architecture and, hidden away behind the prefabs of the builders, a lovely moutain refuge. Very helpful in the Casa de Piedra refuge, good food, great beds and we get a room to ourselves. Wander around this strange mountain planet. Sandy injured so day off tomorrow. See a red squirrel. Colin researches the new balneario for tomorrow.