Well the storm forecast kept changing and making the storm later, so maybe we could of walked today and got to another hotel for the storm to in overnight, but, then we would have missed out on the amazingly special day we ended up having with Pedro and the restaurant hotel staff.
Catching the bus with Pedro to the capital Jaca, he then showed us round the city including the fort, massive cathedral (with marble weve not seen since the Taj Mahal) and where his grandmum used to live. We then bumped into the two restaurant staff having a drink, so joined them and their friends for a while to celebrate ones birthday (talking broken English and Spanish between us with Pedro translating at times) before then getting taken to a popular side street restaurant where he knew the owner so got us a table almost straight away. Cue lots of local tapas dishes, with huge effort in making sure they were vegetarian, and drink, all paid for (despite our best efforts to pay some money).
short walk to their swimming pool for a dip and exchanging of music taste. Not only that, but Pedro then showed us the best chocolate/pastry shop, ensuring we tried some, and we all then got a lift back to the hotel with the restaurant staff as they were heading back there too (as staff tend to live in when working) via a stop to look at Cranfrac Station (massive station never finished and now being turned into a hotel).
Well the storm after all! It got very grey and cloudy yesterday evening with heavy rain showers and some flashes of lightning, but really began around 1am; bright white lightening in the air and rumbles of thunder. It continued on and off the rest of the night into this morning, with it being briefly done n top of us as we sat munching on breakfast. With the forecast saying it would stop but then make another appearance after lunch
we decided to not rush and just enjoy the extra time to ensure things are charged, clean and maps downloaded. It also meant we were saying thanks again to the hotel staff, not only for being flexible and allowing us to stay in the room as long as we wanted but also, our restaurant friends had cooked up Aragons specialty dish for the staff and made a separate portion veggie style just for us! I know, we cant believe it either.
Finally, after feeling like it had well and truly passed, we headed on out around 15:30. I think we had got in the hotel as it instantly felt hot and hard, but it didnt take long to get back into it. As we only had the afternoon we planned to just walk up along the river and pitch up before the first main hill climb; and it was a beautiful little spot. Joined by another couple who waved but pitched up the other side, we all seemed to do the same evening routine of a river wash, cook, stretch, teeth and bed; just in time before misty wet cloud came and surrounded us.
Wild camp just below the incline to Ibn dAnayet to wild camp at Plana Tornadizas picnic area past Sallent de Gallego
7am - 6pm with regular short breaks and 30mins below Ibon Anayet, 30mins near Formigal Petrol station, and 3hours in Sallent de Gallego
Waking up all a bit damp (no wind, misty wet cloud and being by a river caused our first real noticeable condensation issue) we left the tent up as long as we could and shook it off as much as possible before heading off. The low cloud had now gone and the sunlight was emerging on the mountain tops as we looked up into what seemed to be a huge mountain wall. Hmmmmm. Guided by clear waymarkers though, we zigzaged our way up and were soon more then halfway up, when we heard people. Rock climbers! Scary stuff. A little further and we reached the lake at the top, and, spotting many tents, were glad we stayed down lower last night.
From here, it was all down hill! Clear paths, but rocky and edgy at points, we kept going down and down and down.
