This is a view of the harbour at Cadaques on route to the most easterly point of Spain, Cap Creus (where the Gr11 ends). We spent a week in the Cost Brava starting on Roses and a few days in Empuriabrava and ending with a night in Girona before flying out to Newcastle. The weather was a little mixed with a days rain but otherwise it was fine with some hot days. We had opportunities to get into the pyrenees and also spend a few days at the coast and the nature reserve near Empuriabrava (Park Natural dels Aiguamolls) where we saw Egrets and White Storks nesting near the water, and a bee eater! The area was busy being the peak season with lots of French and other European tourists. However, a few kilometres out and away from the coast, the roads were very quiet. We visited Olot and had a brief visit into France, and I got a brief view of Mt. Carnou in the eastern pyrenees.

Great adventure in the pyrenees walking from Somport through to the Ordessa Canyon. This is a view of one of the high peaks in the pyrenees taken from the GR11 (Vignamale). My first view from the pass was better but the summit was covered with cloud. In this picture you can see the ancient glacier, appearing a grey colour, on the side. The mountains in this area are stunning together with all the lakes. The walking is difficult because of the gradients, lengths and also the snowfields. I had to use my "spiders"across the snow because of the angle of the route.

I had one very wet day but had a companion, Martin Walsh, for that day and we got soaked because of the rain and the river crossings. I spent the day in the Hotel Balaitus in Gallent drying my rucksack, tent and sleeping bag.

Reached the Refugio de Respomuso at 2,200 m and enjoyed meeting others hiking and climbing in the area. Looked at the next days climb and was surprised to see the incline and amount of snow on the Collado de Tebarray (the pass of the next day). Joined up with a spanish couple the next day and enjoyed the climb and great scenery from the pass and the lakes down to the valley. Panticosa itself was a building site but the Refugio was very nice and I ate well needed dinner and wine at the end of the day. Tebarray is the second highest pass on the GR11 at 2782 m and I wouldn't have tried it alone because of the snow/ice and lack of crampons.

Then several good days with varied scenery in the valleys, lakes and high passes seeing deer, marmots and lots of new flowers. Also, because of the previous rains and snow melt, the rivers were swollen and difficult to cross without removing boots, so this slowed down progress.

The Ordessa canyon and Torla were pretty and there were quite a few tourists around but the campsites were not as busy as I imagine they must get later in the year. It was still a novelty passing people on the GR11 !! Also chances to eat wild cherries and strawberries. So that's the GR11 until next time!!