Areu to Vallferrera

2 september 2022

I loved this little village in the mountains, the small hotel, the people who sat on the terrace to chat to, the rich mountain food and my Dutch travelling companions.

It was all wonderfully relaxed and friendly.

I set off later this morning for a shorter walk to the next refuge. My Dutch companions were staying put for an additional day so we bid farewell.

I'm not sure whether I was a little ill, tired or just done in... but today's walk was hard and took forever. I trudged through the forests, took lots of rests and eventually arrived at the refuge quite early in the afternoon. I just sat outside an admired the view of the mountains before the manager let me into the room. I slept the rest of the day and through the night. I must have just needed some natural healing.

A shared dinner with a group of Spanish hikers up for the weekend; potato soup, salad, sausage and vegetables, yoghurt. I'm always amazing at how the team cook these dinners up, far up the mountain side for the numbers of guests that use their facilities.