The second historic tunnel, which was located one lane below us. Usana was a paradise for both shutterbugs and painters.
The second historic tunnel, which was located one lane below us. Usana was a paradise for both shutterbugs and painters.
0 2025/01/30 21:28:20
The corner of that same garden. Once during our 9-day stay, a hiking teen couple obsessed with the perfect Insta image posed while standing directly atop those beautiful flowers shown to the right!
The corner of that same garden. Once during our 9-day stay, a hiking teen couple obsessed with the perfect Insta image posed while standing directly atop those beautiful flowers shown to the right!
0 2025/01/30 21:25:51
A sunset view from our terrace. Such an endless expanse of sky. Perfect for drinks, be they a sunrise coffee or a sunset Rioja. And a great place to dry wet laundry!
A sunset view from our terrace. Such an endless expanse of sky. Perfect for drinks, be they a sunrise coffee or a sunset Rioja. And a great place to dry wet laundry!
0 2025/01/30 21:25:43
Dramatic, heart-stopping views are but one advantage of staying here. The above manager Jayne Calvert lives not far off and will take care of all your concerns.
Dramatic, heart-stopping views are but one advantage of staying here. The above manager Jayne Calvert lives not far off and will take care of all your concerns.
0 2025/01/30 21:25:37
The knocker on that same door.
The knocker on that same door.
0 2025/01/30 21:23:11
The rustic door to Casa Blas. Note the symbolic scallop shell, so meaningful to those along the Camino trail.
The rustic door to Casa Blas. Note the symbolic scallop shell, so meaningful to those along the Camino trail.
0 2025/01/30 21:22:41
Same spot seen from opposite direction. This is Casa Blas. For us it was indeed 'Basa Bliss!' Property manager Jayne Calvert had described this house to us as being cozy and having a prime location and she was right.
Same spot seen from opposite direction. This is Casa Blas. For us it was indeed 'Basa Bliss!' Property manager Jayne Calvert had described this house to us as being cozy and having a prime location and she was right.
0 2025/01/30 21:21:21
The view from the end of the aforementioned tunnel is wonderful. An effort has been made to decorate both tunnels with some artifacts. Shown here was our rental's garden, with its nocturnal jasmine and more.
The view from the end of the aforementioned tunnel is wonderful. An effort has been made to decorate both tunnels with some artifacts. Shown here was our rental's garden, with its nocturnal jasmine and more.
0 2025/01/30 21:12:10
One enters sleepy Usana from this tiny chapel shown on the left. In the distance, we see the tunnel that is the hamlet's key feature. Usana has a pair of historic vaulted tunnels, apparently the longest in Spain. They are authentic and the cobblestone footing is both gnarly and uneven. In other words, the real deal. Casa Blas is found at the very end of the tunnel shown here. On Solstice days, locals gather for a celebration as they watch the sun rise to fill the entire length of that tunnel!
One enters sleepy Usana from this tiny chapel shown on the left. In the distance, we see the tunnel that is the hamlet's key feature. Usana has a pair of historic vaulted tunnels, apparently the longest in Spain. They are authentic and the cobblestone footing is both gnarly and uneven. In other words, the real deal. Casa Blas is found at the very end of the tunnel shown here. On Solstice days, locals gather for a celebration as they watch the sun rise to fill the entire length of that tunnel!
0 2025/01/30 21:08:34
Here is a shot from nearby and larger Ainsa (ah-EEN-sah) , a proper town with a population of 1,640. Seen in the foreground is the less attractive modern part of Ainsa. It has a much more photogenic heritage section with Spain's largest village square, one which we will show later.
Here is a shot from nearby and larger Ainsa (ah-EEN-sah) , a proper town with a population of 1,640. Seen in the foreground is the less attractive modern part of Ainsa. It has a much more photogenic heritage section with Spain's largest village square, one which we will show later.
0 2025/01/30 21:03:59
This is the secluded village of Usana (oo-Sa-nah), nestled 600m up a hilltop in the heart of the Pyrenees. Our rental Casa Blas is located smack dab in the middle where you can see white shutters. The site is directly along the Camino di Santiago Compostela GR19 route. It is one of nine hamlets that compose the Banaston municipality.
This is the secluded village of Usana (oo-Sa-nah), nestled 600m up a hilltop in the heart of the Pyrenees. Our rental Casa Blas is located smack dab in the middle where you can see white shutters. The site is directly along the Camino di Santiago Compostela GR19 route. It is one of nine hamlets that compose the Banaston municipality.
0 2025/01/30 20:58:19
This is Isabel, one of the local sheep. She begged us not to tell her parents that she was pregnant. "Oh, no need to worry about that Izzy," we assured her. "We ate them last night."
This is Isabel, one of the local sheep. She begged us not to tell her parents that she was pregnant. "Oh, no need to worry about that Izzy," we assured her. "We ate them last night."
0 2025/01/30 16:06:36
Did I mention mountains? Ordesa-Perdido park's Circo de Soaso with the famed Cala Caballo (horse's tail). *Next=our wonderful Casa Blas rental house.
Did I mention mountains? Ordesa-Perdido park's Circo de Soaso with the famed Cala Caballo (horse's tail). *Next=our wonderful Casa Blas rental house.
0 2025/01/30 16:06:27
Ainsa town.
Ainsa town.
0 2025/01/30 16:05:46
Friendly Mia, Julian's ESL tutor.
Friendly Mia, Julian's ESL tutor.
0 2025/01/30 16:04:45
Julian Garcia ('Excursiones 4x4') was our guide at Anisclo canyon, the daytrip we completed before meeting Raquel and Juancho. He is also a trained masseur based in Boltana. Julian brought his ESL tutor pal gal (see next) to serve as interpreter.
Julian Garcia ('Excursiones 4x4') was our guide at Anisclo canyon, the daytrip we completed before meeting Raquel and Juancho. He is also a trained masseur based in Boltana. Julian brought his ESL tutor pal gal (see next) to serve as interpreter.
0 2025/01/30 16:04:36
Jesus was my guide at Ordesa-Perdido Park proper. Mrs Z. passed on that loooong daytrip, preferring to chill back in Usana. I will later describe the unusual set of rules regarding visits to that park (see 'Torla').
Jesus was my guide at Ordesa-Perdido Park proper. Mrs Z. passed on that loooong daytrip, preferring to chill back in Usana. I will later describe the unusual set of rules regarding visits to that park (see 'Torla').
0 2025/01/30 16:04:27
Raquel's husband Juancho, co-owner of the outfit and also a highly-qualified mountain expert. Their young son was taking drum lessons, so after each daytrip I prepared a tip sheet for the boy. Those included different songs to practice playing along to and like that.
Raquel's husband Juancho, co-owner of the outfit and also a highly-qualified mountain expert. Their young son was taking drum lessons, so after each daytrip I prepared a tip sheet for the boy. Those included different songs to practice playing along to and like that.
0 2025/01/30 16:04:13
Lovely Raquel, the incomparable mountain guide and co-owner of Solomonte Excursiones. She led us on three separate daytrips. Her idea of a fun holiday is to climb cliffs. Very tall and oft-ice-covered cliffs.
Lovely Raquel, the incomparable mountain guide and co-owner of Solomonte Excursiones. She led us on three separate daytrips. Her idea of a fun holiday is to climb cliffs. Very tall and oft-ice-covered cliffs.
0 2025/01/30 16:04:05
We felt sorry for this Canuck bum traveler and gave him a lift.
We felt sorry for this Canuck bum traveler and gave him a lift.
0 2025/01/30 16:03:42
Lotsa' trees about. A lumber industry was evident, in addition to varied agriculture. Barbastro's 'pink' tomatoes are favored by some over the more-hyped ones from Murcia.
Lotsa' trees about. A lumber industry was evident, in addition to varied agriculture. Barbastro's 'pink' tomatoes are favored by some over the more-hyped ones from Murcia.
0 2025/01/30 16:03:14
Mrs Z, she of delicate language and sensibilities: "Hurry up and take the fucking foto!"
Mrs Z, she of delicate language and sensibilities: "Hurry up and take the fucking foto!"
0 2025/01/30 16:02:58
Mountain flora. Also seen were the Edelweiss species 'Leontopodium Alpinum.'
Mountain flora. Also seen were the Edelweiss species 'Leontopodium Alpinum.'
0 2025/01/30 16:00:16
Timeless icon of Iberia.
Timeless icon of Iberia.
0 2025/01/30 15:59:44
Reflective image of Escuain, an abandoned former butter-producing village with a spectacular gorge.
Reflective image of Escuain, an abandoned former butter-producing village with a spectacular gorge.
0 2025/01/30 15:58:09
Hikers and mountain fans will love Aragon.
Hikers and mountain fans will love Aragon.
0 2025/01/30 15:57:12
First Usana, Ainsa and the Park (read 'mountains') then we'll conclude up in Bielsa before the French Pyrenees.
First Usana, Ainsa and the Park (read 'mountains') then we'll conclude up in Bielsa before the French Pyrenees.
0 2025/01/30 15:55:22
We used our newly-purchased Barcelona glasses in our historic Usana rental 'Casa Blas.'
We used our newly-purchased Barcelona glasses in our historic Usana rental 'Casa Blas.'
0 2025/01/30 15:54:06
Casa Gispert was right next door to our Born rental, Alacam apartment on calle Sombrero.
Casa Gispert was right next door to our Born rental, Alacam apartment on calle Sombrero.
0 2024/12/17 11:26:39
0 2024/12/17 11:25:29
All-too handsome Jesus was our second property manager at Gracia's Aspasios apartments.
All-too handsome Jesus was our second property manager at Gracia's Aspasios apartments.
0 2024/12/17 11:25:11
An example of bravery and teamwork and trust. By this point, a young Brit couple had planted themselves atop my feet. Having recently suffered cracked toes twice in the past two years, I was not best pleased and took to placing my elbows directly into their backs. Lourdes did the same to protest those crushing her. After the Brits left, a pair of muscular young Germans took their place, their butts nearly pushing me back over the metal fence! They too received some elbow therapy before I left.
An example of bravery and teamwork and trust. By this point, a young Brit couple had planted themselves atop my feet. Having recently suffered cracked toes twice in the past two years, I was not best pleased and took to placing my elbows directly into their backs. Lourdes did the same to protest those crushing her. After the Brits left, a pair of muscular young Germans took their place, their butts nearly pushing me back over the metal fence! They too received some elbow therapy before I left.
0 2024/12/15 17:53:13
Dual enxaneta kids crown their team's towers.
Dual enxaneta kids crown their team's towers.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:52
The 'enxaneta' or top child waves success to the admiring crowd.
The 'enxaneta' or top child waves success to the admiring crowd.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:41
Were these two brother and sister?
Were these two brother and sister?
0 2024/12/15 17:52:27
I threw in this image coz it chronologically features a nearly-complete tower. This was actually part of the opening act on a side stage, a series of visiting 'falcones'. These were youth groups guests from out of town whose 'wing' formations were wider and less tall than the casteler versions. Both kinds of human towers sought to place a child atop their team.
I threw in this image coz it chronologically features a nearly-complete tower. This was actually part of the opening act on a side stage, a series of visiting 'falcones'. These were youth groups guests from out of town whose 'wing' formations were wider and less tall than the casteler versions. Both kinds of human towers sought to place a child atop their team.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:12
Note the child climbing on the lower left. Crowd update: at this point, if you had a full bladder, then you were out-of-luck. Ditto if it'd been a sunny day and you'd not brought a hat. An uneasy feeling was taking over those of us who were being crushed into the fence by the ever-thickening throng. I've attended concerts by Led Zeppelin and also Pink Floyd where attendance exceeded over 80,000. But in placa Jaume (JOW-may) on this day, there was no escape.
Note the child climbing on the lower left. Crowd update: at this point, if you had a full bladder, then you were out-of-luck. Ditto if it'd been a sunny day and you'd not brought a hat. An uneasy feeling was taking over those of us who were being crushed into the fence by the ever-thickening throng. I've attended concerts by Led Zeppelin and also Pink Floyd where attendance exceeded over 80,000. But in placa Jaume (JOW-may) on this day, there was no escape.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:02
The middle lifters are known as 'manilles'. Spotters also took their places to watch for signs of falls and collapse. It happens.
The middle lifters are known as 'manilles'. Spotters also took their places to watch for signs of falls and collapse. It happens.
0 2024/12/15 17:51:33
The burliest 'pines' formed the base.
The burliest 'pines' formed the base.
0 2024/12/15 17:51:17
Here we go! Captains encouraged their teams with this ritual of grasping hands in a huddle.
Here we go! Captains encouraged their teams with this ritual of grasping hands in a huddle.
0 2024/12/15 17:51:02
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