With poor weather forecast for later in the day, we
decided to make the most of the sunshine and set off for the river pools soon
after breakfast. After a half hour walk we arrived at a public picnic and
barbecue area in pine woods beside a river. Here we paused to clear litter as a
community service activity.
Another 20 minutes trek up a picturesque valley with
fabulous views brought us to the three natural river pools linked by rocky
water slides. Here, although some of the rocks were slippery and the water was
sooo cold, many of us were brave enough to swim - with Dr Rogers leading the
charge. Drying off in the sunshine on the adjacent rocky slabs surrounded by
pretty yellow flowering broom made it all worthwhile!
Refreshed by the icy dip, we walked back to the Gredos
Centre in good time, pausing to admire the snowy peaks of the mountains on the
horizon as we scaled the steep hill up which the road wound with many hairpin
turns (this was fantastic to cycle down yesterday but harder to walk up
today!).
After lunch there was some rain but luckily we were indoors getting some training in orienteering. By the time we'd learned how to navigate using map, compass, sun, stars or even moss on trees and rocks, the clouds had begun to disperse.
Armed with our new (or, in the case of D of E
participants, freshly-honed) skills, we set off in teams to complete a 1.5 km
course. The practice must have helped, as the fastest team was round in only 21
minutes!
Supper was followed by the Gredos Challenge, a
competition involving teams having to take a series of 12 photos of themselves
in different situations in the shortest possible time. Congratulations to team
Freddie for obtaining the requisite dozen snaps fastest.
Last night in the dorms as we re-pack and move on to the
sumptuous Parador tomorrow. The forecast is looking good for more sun too!
