Navarre

This is my first post in quite a while and it's good to be back. My absence was due to family illness (now fully recovered, thank goodness), other priorities (life intrudes sometimes) and holidays (the enjoyable bits) This is the first in a series taken during our walking holiday in the Basque country in Navarre, a beautiful and unspoilt area of northern Spain very close to the border with France. It shows the hamlet of Urroz nesting in the hills and is taken from close to our farmhouse or borda where we spent a thoroughly enjoyable week recently. My Website Getty Images.

A view down the hillside to the hamlet of Latsaga and, appearing behind the pine covered hillside, the little town of Ituren, our nearest town. It was about a hours walk to Ituren from the farmhouse where there was two bars and a restaurant. Unfortunately one bar only seemed open at weekends and the other bar closed after two days as the owner went on holiday. My Website Getty Images.

A Basque cow joining in the conversation. My Website Getty Images.

A house on the outskirts of the village of Ituren, Navarre, Spain. My Website Getty Images.

The village of Ituren seen from the hills above it. It was our closest village but was still an hours walk away. My Website Getty Images.

A neighbouring farmhouse high in the Pyrenean foothills. My Website Getty Images.

Don't get on it! My Website Getty Images.

The little Basque village of Zubieta seen from the hills above it. My Website Getty Images.

My Website Getty Images.

The mountain of Mendaur in Navarre, Spain. It is 1131m high and has a small church or chapel on the summit. My Website Getty Images.

The River Ezkurra near the bridge into Zubieta, Navarre. My Website Getty Images.

It was early morning and the mist was laying in the valleys but, as we walked, the sun rose higher and got stronger producing these lovely rays of light through the forest. My Website Getty Images.

I have walked in mist many times and can't say that it's particularly enjoyable. Not only is it cold and clammy but you can't see very much at all. But then you get that magical moment when clear blue skies can be seen through the mist and the mountain tops poke through the clouds to say hello. That's when you know it will be a good day. My Website Getty Images.

My Website Getty Images.

The last of the clouds clings on to the hillside above Elgorriaga. My Website Getty Images.

The valley disappears under a layer of cloud My Website Getty Images.

A last look at the Basque Country as we walk above the hamlet of Urroz on our way to Oitz. My Website Getty Images.