I booked another night at Casa de Piedra and decided to warm up without the big backpack.

The morning was pretty wet and all day was going to be like that, but there were plenty of people geared up for some kind of sports event. I was studying the map as I intended to go out anyway, but the curiosity took the better of me and I asked a couple next to me what’s going on. She told me that they had a mountain marathon! Three different options, in fact: half-marathon, marathon and a relay marathon 🤔 and people call me mad! I might start treating that as an insult 😂

Just after 10 o’clock it stopped raining, so I packed my map and waterproofs and ventured out. It started to clear up a bit. At some point, I heard the helicopter. I looked around. It was definitely a rescue helicopter hovering over the mountains on the other side of the valley. It actually landed on the pass, but soon took off and hovered again over those slopes. I don’t know what happened, but I took some pictures of the helicopter.

It’s a good reminder of a rescue for me. It really made me think of this picture…

Soon, the sun was out and the beautiful views emerged – different with each step up.

When I got to the lake, it was glorious. Actually, it was so hot and clear that I knew that I’d sunburn by the time I got back to the refuge. There was an older French couple changing into shorts. I asked the lady if I could ‘borrow’ some sun cream. I’m used to sharing things on the trial if there is a need, but she didn’t look pleased. With hesitation, she offered me some. I was very grateful because my arms would hurt otherwise.

I walked across the dam and found a path down to the smaller lake that looked gorgeously green.

I stopped there for a while, admiring those incredible colours. When I got back to Panticosa, I popped into the hotel to see Miriam and Mario. She wasn’t working, but it turned out that he worked in SPA. Without thinking much, I booked that last session. I am not a beach person, but soaking in a hot outdoor pool (53°C) with a mountain view was definitely the right thing to do.

On the mountain the Lord will provide