Day 6.
So, the last day at Le Cousteau came around and we packed our bags and saying a sad farewell to our dear hosts Yann and Fatima before driving south again towards the Pyrenees mountains that seemed to be waiting for us. I love this part of the trip. The rolling countryside, woods and villages passing what was little traffic on the road with those sharp distant peaks becoming even more clearer in the morning air. Once past the town with the unusual name of Lannemazan we soon we began climbing eventually arriving at one of my favourite Pyrenees villages, Arreau.
This small community, where two rivers, the Neste de Roudon and the Neste d'Aure meet before tumbling down to the plain and farmlands we had just passed. Light refreshments at a cafe, trading under the name of the London Cafe,
whilst sitting on the small terrace overlooking the river and breathing the clean, fresh mountain air. Wonderful!
Then driving on upwards to the tunnel of Bielsa which eventually spills us out in to the arms of Spain and the Aragon province. A many curved highway then takes us down through soaring chasms to the first town of any note, Ainsa.
This excellent tarmacked highway then carries us on towards Huesca passing, for me personally, the wonderful Bodega Somotamo(i think that it is bad name) that produces some of the finest wines in Spain. That night sees us booked into the Hostal San Marcos in the very centre of Huesca.
The following day, after morning coffee and croissants we drove away in the sunshine and headed towards the ´Eternal´ city of Zaragoza. I say the 'Eternal city' because my first visit took place there some fifty odd years ago and there was a sign to this effect on the arrival at this very special place.
Our coffee break took place in the shadow of the great cathedral, 'La Seo de Pillar' or 'Our Lady of the Pillar'. Then ignoring the modern motorway direct to Valencia, we opted for the more interesting route via Alcañiz.
Here we stopped at the enchanting parador hotel
where from a wonderful view over the ancient stone walls you could see the river Guadalupe whose name is derived from the Arab language signifying 'River of light.'
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