Dealing with bureaucrats is probably the most frustrating of human endeavours. Our package, containing our replacement tent and stove has been in Barcelona for days but Spanish customs told us they would not release it until we pay 235 euros in duties, fees and taxes. After hours on the phone and sending them all kinds of documents, I had to sign a declaration that I would pay the money upon delivery, and then delivery would commence but would not be guaranteed by the time we were scheduled to leave Barcelona.
We decided to go hiking as planned and let the universe unfold as it would, hoping the package would get delivered prior to our departure. We packed the car and set off for Sierra de Guara and the village of Alquezar, a lovely medieval town about 3 hours northwest of Barcelona.
We rented an apartment for a few nights and went hiking in the spectacular canyon landscape around Alquezar and the nearby town of Rodellar. While there, I received an email from FedEx in response to my complaint about the problem with my package, and miraculously the package was delivered without any further charges. Funny that I had to send a complaint to FedEx in the United States before the company’s employees in Spain would process my package without any further delay or charges.
Anyway, we have a new tent and stove and will be ready for the next part of our journey. Meanwhile, we spent a few days hiking in Sierra de Guara with Alba and Gérard. Here are some photographs.
Column detail at the Alquezar monastery.
A dreary and wet hike back to Alquezar.
Alquezar street.
Paul’s new suede shoes.
Alquezar.
Vulture.
Frescoes at the Alquezar monastery.
Sun going down on the Alquezar canyons.
Caves in the karst of Alquezar canyon.
Single file into the Sierra de Guara.
Gérard at the site of where a mill used to stand on the river in the canyon.
Cave.
For sale. Tempting!
Bark.
Alquezar door knokker.
Alba.
Gérard making breakfast.
Alba checking the weather from the cabin.
Hiking into the Sierra de Guara.
Winter grasses.
Conglomerate on one side of the valley.
Dog at the monastery.
Vulture.
A glimpse of the Sierra de Guara.
Alba and Gérard in a canyon near Alquezar.
Jan taking a break.
Stick Man.
Dog at the monastery.
It’s so small!
Which way?
Gloomy morning.
Restaurant decorations in Alquezar.
Alquezar canyons.
Alquezar canyons.
Love birds.
Our lodgings in Alquezar.
Winter reeds.
One last warm-up before heading out.
Sharing a beer and chips at the end of the day.
Looking out from the Alquezar monastery.
The Pyrenees.
Climbing out of a canyon.
The monastery at Alquezar at sunset.
Crossing stone bridge in a canyon near Alquezar.
Cave painting between 5,000 and 8,000 years old.
Alquezar.
A dreary and wet hike back to Alquezar.
Alquezar canyons.
Alquezar.
Stone bridge.
Stone bridge.
Vulture.
A good start to any morning.
A bit of yoga.
A walkway along the canyon wall.
On the road.
The gang in Alquezar. Thank you Alba and Gérard for you fabulous hospitality. Until next time.
Paul, stunning photos. I’ll send a separate email about the tag on one of the vultures. lee