Sierra de Guara

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.

It’s so small!

Which way?

Column detail at the Alquezar monastery.

A good start to any morning.

Vulture.

Winter grasses.

Cave painting between 5,000 and 8,000 years old.

Restaurant decorations in Alquezar.

Alquezar street.

GéŽrard at the site of where a mill used to stand on the river in the canyon.

A walkway along the canyon wall.

Caves in the karst of Alquezar canyon.

Jan taking a break.

Winter reeds.

Dog at the monastery.

Alba.

Crossing stone bridge in a canyon near Alquezar.

Frescoes at the Alquezar monastery.

The monastery at Alquezar at sunset.

Stick Man.

Love birds.

Alquezar canyons.

Vulture.

Single file into the Sierra de Guara.

Stone bridge.

Paul’s new suede shoes.

Alquezar.

A bit of yoga.

Sun going down on the Alquezar canyons.

Alquezar.

Gloomy morning.

Alquezar door knokker.

The Pyrenees.

Bark.

For sale. Tempting!

Vulture.

Hiking into the Sierra de Guara.

Climbing out of a canyon.

On the road.

Alquezar.

A glimpse of the Sierra de Guara.

Alba and GéŽrard in a canyon near Alquezar.

Our lodgings in Alquezar.

Alba checking the weather from the cabin.

Alquezar canyons.

Cave.

A dreary and wet hike back to Alquezar.

Stone bridge.

A dreary and wet hike back to Alquezar.

Conglomerate on one side of the valley.

Dog at the monastery.

Alquezar canyons.

One last warm-up before heading out.

GéŽrard making breakfast.

Sharing a beer and chips at the end of the day.

Looking out from the Alquezar monastery.