Thursday 27th April 2023

We have covered a big area of northern/central Spain and seen a wide variety of terrain, both urban, rural and religious. One of the overriding similarities in everywhere we have been has been the arches and vaulted ceilings (Techno Abovedado). In fact the apartment we are staying in at the moment has one. Likewise the beautiful well restored hilltop town of Ainsa has many arches and vaulted ceilings.

We started today in Ainsa with coffee in the Plaza Mayor, walked round some of the walls, had lunch in a narrow street eating the local Ainsa Stew, admiring the architecture and looking at the surrounding panoramic vistas.

At the moment we are sitting watching 5 Eursian Griffin Vultures flying overhead which have been another theme of this holiday. We have seen birds of prey, storks, flamingos, wild Boar, locusts, sand lizards, swallows and swifts. Fortunately we haven’t come across the poisonous processionary hairy caterpillar which seem to be becoming more widespread. Though we have seen many of their nests in the pine trees.

We must mention the numerous domesticated animals living around us at the moment including 3 dogs, 1 with 4 puppies, lots of cats, chickens and a pig.