Gredos day 5 & 6

Wednesday

This morning, we bid a fond farewell to the Gredos Centre and packed our bags for transit to the Parador, originally a hunting lodge of King Juan I but now a grand hotel. Whilst our cases made their way to our final destination by road, we trekked down to the river on the valley floor then up over a high ridge into Valdeascas. 

Here we discovered another beautiful valley with meadows covered in early summer flowers. Best of all, this river had carved out awesome bowls in the granite and we swam in the clear water before having a picnic lunch.

From this heavenly spot, we continued our trek through pine forests to an outdoor swimming pool set into the lip of the valley. Here was a superb location to cool off after a warm walk, whilst admiring views across this picturesque region.

We are now settling in to our rooms in the Parador and exploring its many fascinating lounges decorated with hunting trophies.

At the river pools

Trekking to the Parador

Supper at the Parador

About to leave the Gredos centre

Thursday

Our night at the Parador has been a wonderful experience. Now we are heading back to London, via Madrid. We have had a marvelous time and return with fond memories of fun, friendship and brilliant experiences.

Gredos - Day 4

Having completed our first circus of activities yesterday, today we split into two groups. One half of us headed to the rope park for ziplines, tarzan swings and high wires amongst the trees, whilst the other half sat in on an orienteering briefing from the legendary local mountain man, Juan Fran, before navigating their way to the picnic site in small groups. 

After a scrumptious al fresco lunch, the two groups swapped activities and burned off the calories before enjoying a rest break back at the Centre. Despite two “all you can eat” meals already, somehow we are hungry again and looking forward to supper!

Gredos - Day 3

Today, we have continued with our circus of different activities. In the Spanish cookery class, we learned to prepare delicious tortilla (yum!), and all groups have now completed the creative workshop so there is an impressive display of artistic talent amongst the painted t-shirts.

The horse riding has also been great fun - it’s a relaxing way to travel through the varied, rural terrain - and the mounts are extremely well trained.

It’s been very hot and sunny again; we are loving the climate and the escape from urban life. A super finish to the day - the catering staff at the Centre baked a cake for our birthday girl!

Gredos - Day 2

Sunday

Refreshed by a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we split into four groups to start a circus of different activities. There’s not a cloud in the sky and it’s very hot, but there are plenty of patches of snow on the peaks above us because of the late start to the summer this year.

Some of us have been out on mountain bikes, following a trail through the pine forests and taking in superb views across the valley. Others have been painting t-shirts in the creative workshop, or trying their hand at archery. The community service activity involves helping to clear fallen branches in the woods around the Centre. This helps to reduce the chance of damaging forest fires later in the summer.

Great excitement about England’s World Cup victory over Panama, followed by more activities this afternoon. Now we are recovering from our exertions, seeking shade in the gardens around the Centre as we listen to the cicadas calling in the early evening heat.

Gredos - Day 1

Saturday

An early start this morning meant that there were a few bleary eyes at the Heathrow T5 meeting point, but everything ran smoothly and we touched done in Madrid at midday. Our coach was waiting for us at the airport and we had a easy journey to Avila, with its fabulous, medieval walls, where we had time for lunch and exploration to appreciate the beautiful stone architecture of the old town.

From Avila, the coach took us up into the mountains, for amazing views across the rugged landscape. We arrived at the Gredos Centre - our home for the next few days - in time to unpack and unwind before a delicious supper.

We enjoyed a balmy evening in the Centre grounds and look forward to outdoor activities tomorrow.

Gredos - on our way home!

Up at 6.30 am and breakfast at 7. Now we are boarding our coach for the return journey to Madrid and then to London. Thanks to Miss Laattoe for organising such a great trip. We’ll be back in the UK this afternoon!

Gredos Day 5

Having done some packing last night, we were able to leave the Gredos Centre shortly after breakfast. Leaving our suitcases to be delivered to the Parador de Gredos for tonight’s stay, we walked through the pine forests and onto the hills of the National Park to the river rock pools at Valdeascos. Here, we had hoped to swim but the cooler weather today meant that paddling was the preferred option. After half an hour at this stunningly picturesque spot, we descended to a picnic spot and, after lunch, continued our trek to an outdoor swimming pool perched on the edge of the valley with fabulous views over all of the territory that we have come to love.

Here, the sun blessed us for a couple of hours and most braved the initial shock of cold water to enjoy a refreshing swim. It was a very short walk from the pool to the Parador, where we checked into our rooms and enjoyed a touch of luxury in what was once the hunting lodge of King Juan I.

We ate a splendid meal in the formal dining room and then retired to our classy bedrooms - early start tomorrow for the return trip to the UK.

Gredos Day 5

Day 5 in Gredos and it's time for a cookery class.

Gredos - Day 4

It’s difficult to believe we are already half way through our activities week! We have continued our carousel of activities under cloudless blue skies. Archery and community service, mountain biking, cookery and creative workshops, and horse riding all took place for different groups this morning. Then we had a break for another super lunch at the Centre, followed by an impromptu volleyball match.

In the afternoon, the groups switched for the final time, to complete all activities. It’s been another amazing day - the freshly cooked tortilla was very tasty and everyone has had an opportunity the design their own T-shirt. Down in the valley, others have been busy on two wheels or horseback.

Now the sun has fallen below the horizon and there’s a beautiful crescent moon above the mountain peaks. We’ve just walked to the local village to sample the retail delights of the petrol station shop - the only source of Oreos for miles in any direction! Looking forward to our last night in the Centre and excited to be staying in the Parador tomorrow.

Enjoying lovely views and glorious weather.

Another action packed day on wheels and horseback!

Gredos Day 3

Today, we were divided into two groups. Half of us walked down into the valley to the ropes park and kitted up in harness and helmet. After a demonstration of how to use the carabiners and pulleys, we zip-lined into the trees and then had a fantastic time making our way along the course. Meanwhile, the other group were briefed on different techniques for navigation across country and then used these skills to reach our lunchtime picnic spot.

After a gourmet meal in dappled sunlight amongst the pines, the two sides swapped activities, returning to the Gredos Centre in time to top up tans and have a well-deserved shower before supper.

Gredos Day 2

This morning started with a terrific breakfast at 8am, followed by a split into four groups. Each group is taking part in a carousel of different activities over the next three days. We started with either horse riding, cookery and t-shirt painting, archery and community service, or mountain biking. The weather started off overcast and cool but later the clouds parted to let in the sunshine. Needless to say, after a busy morning, everyone was very ready for lunch by 2pm!

In the afternoon, some intermittent showers came through but we managed to dodge most of them as we completed our second round of activities. There are some awesome painted t-shirts drying in the craft room and we are looking forward to tucking into our “home-made” spanish tortilla at supper this evening.

Everyone has enjoyed their day of various challenges and new experiences. We are gathered in the common room, recounting our tales to each other and signing Noah’s birthday card (shhh, don’t tell him!). The evening meal is about to start and we are all ravenous. Wow! Great meal and birthday cake! Good night, more tomorrow.

Gredos - Day 1

Leaving Britain's overcast skies behind, we stepped out of the plane into burning sunshine at Madrid airport, and a ninety minute coach journey took us to the fabulous  medieval, walled town of Avila. Here, we took advantage of the many cafes and restaurants to eat a late lunch, with ice cream being a popular desert!

From Avila, the coach took us up into the Sierra de Gredos mountains. The scenery is spectacular, but after the early start and a long day's travel, we were glad to arrive at our home for the next five days - the legendary Gredos Centre. After unpacking and familiarising ourselves with the safety regulations, we had time to relax and explore the grounds before supper.  

The evening meal was great, especially the fresh, local cherries; delicious! The sun has now gone down and it is pleasantly cooler after a very hot day. Shortly heading for our bunks for a well-earned rest! 

Lunch stop in Avila

Gredos - Day 6

We're back in London! All well.

We had an early start to get packed and drive to Madrid airport. Leaving Gredos at 7am. Coach loaded - back in the UK this afternoon after a fantastic trip.

Gredos - Day 5

This morning, we bid a fond farewell to the Gredos Centre, packing our bags and loading them aboard a shuttle to the Parador. Whilst they transited to our next venue, we trekked into the national park, arriving at the stunningly beautiful rock pools at Valdeascas in scorching sunshine. The river water originates from the snow melt coming off the surrounding peaks and was, therefore, challengingly cool. Nevertheless, an impressively large proportion of our group seized the opportunity to swim, with Dr Rogers leading the charge.

Once refreshed, we continued our walk through the pine forest, serenaded by the cattle bells that are a constant background soundtrack in this rural environment.  The route was well shaded by trees but we were still glad to arrive at the swimming pool adjacent to the Parador for a second dip.

The Parador de Gredos, originally a hunting lodge of King Juan I, is now a splendid hotel and we felt rather privileged at the chance to spend a night in the building where the Spanish constitution was signed. After a delicious dinner, we enjoyed some spirited competition in the games room, then headed for bed. Sadly, we have an early start tomorrow, to catch our flight back to the UK.

Gredos - Day 4

Luckily, the school's resilience sessions this year allowed us to BOUNCE back from England's deplorable performance on the football field last night and breakfast was tackled with the usual gusto. Once tables were cleared and cleaned, all four groups continued around the carousel of activities, adding community service to yesterday's list. 

A multitude of superb painted T-shirts have been created and one of the local bridle paths has been cleared of the rampant broom bushes that were threatening to overwhelm it.

Everyone has enjoyed the horse trekking and archery. The mountain biking has been a challenge in the hot weather, but all completed the course in style.

Today's three course lunch concluded with ice cream, which went a long way towards overcoming the fatigue of a busy morning. With unsettled weather forecast for the afternoon, we kept a close eye on the clouds building over the peaks. The groups raced the storm clouds back to the Centre, and most arriving before the heavens opened. The indomitable Miss Laattoe and three excited girls got caught in the rain and returned bedraggled but jubilant about their outdoor adventure on horseback.

Chilling out before lunch

Gredos - Day 3

Monday dawned sunny and warm, so after another sumptuous breakfast we headed out under blue skies for a carousel of activities. Each group has completed three out of horse riding, archery, mountain biking, spanish cookery and a creative workshop (T-shirt painting) during the day.

Leah, our final trip participant, arrived just after midday, having been delayed by taking part in GB rowing trials over the weekend. A three course lunch gave us the energy we needed to launch into another activity, with the indestructible Mr Spencer completing two laps of the mountain biking loop.

There was just enough free time before supper for a quick game of football for those wanting to get into the mood for tonight's England match. Then an early meal to give us time to walk to the nearby village of Navarredonda de Gredos, where we visited the legendary petrol station shop: purveyors of everything a young foreign visitor could wish for!

The more adventurous of us continued onwards, briefly exploring the village in search of a bar serving Fanta Limon that was televising the match. Excitement was running high but sadly it turned out that England vs Iceland was not on any channel in Spain - another unexpected consequence of Brexit?

Rallying quickly, we returned to the Centre for some fiercely contested card games before bed and a well-deserved rest. More news tomorrow...

Spanish cookery - making tortilla

Four legged friends

Mountain bikers about to set off

The noble art of toxophily