Asturias vistas

Asturias vistas, a set on Flickr.

We've been really busy with work and projects for a while but still managed to take a few shots at the changing colors of Asturias. Every new year uncovers a different combination of shades of brown and orange and green in October, announcing that there will be many short days and long nights ahead. This winter we didn't have much snow, at least not in Oviedo, and February had really mild weather, announcing a gorgeous spring that has already arrived; wonderful greens and prairies dotted with tiny pink, yellow and white flowers.

In the late summer we visited the dry Babia plains past Caldas de la Luna, and came back via Puerto de Somió -some sights and a very narrow road going down hill. In the late winter we explored the different beaches of Muros del Nalón, walking from beautiful Xilo up into the woods of the coastal trail; then it was Villaviciosa estuary and a couple of farms on the way to the Pontal, watching the tidal changes. We also had time for a short trip to Playa de San Juan de la Arena near the Airport of Asturias, which resulted in a mix of awe at a nearby stretch of open beach, and sadness looking at another beach near the village. The latter with remnants of something to dark to be sand, branches and logs that the sea washed ashore from the winter storms ... lying sadly on a stretch of muddy sand.

Last week it was time for Naranco Hill where we saw some amazing ponies.

Oviedo winter icy whites

Naranco "Pista Finlandesa" walk started on Uria St. where a quick glimpse of the hill behind FEVE was a call to go back home via the Finnish path. It started snowing heavily half way through the path uphill, but by then it was too late to go back.

The way down vía VIllamejil was awesome: free of cars and buses, not a human in sight. Street lights spotting falling snow that soon became a soft white carpet, on a road now empty and easy to walk. By the time I arrived in Pando my fingers were somewhat frosted -bad quality gloves, lesson learned, next time remind me to wear the King Kong ones.

The final stroll across Pando was easy by the time I saw a police car followed by the one bus coming downhill. The next day (Sunday) walking on ice to go roaming in Oviedo City was not so pleasant at first, it started by having to identify fast which pedestrian crossings were a frozen no go. Past the Milán square (become ice ring) it took a while to get to Parque San Francisco, which was sheer delight: rows of trees dressed in glamourous white with the Naranco background in the sun. We didn't find any fairies -xadas nor dwarfs... but Oviedo version of snow white was well worth walking on the thin ice.

The other side

The other side
Originally uploaded by MarquiBeck

It took a couple hours and a firm resolution not to go back when we were half way up Naranco hill... this time we made it to the Cristo parking area in order to easy going jog all the way down the main road to Oviedo.

The trail heading up after you pass by the lodge is rather narrow, at spots it makes you wonder if it's safe to keep going. This was last Sunday so when I mentioned in class this Monday that I'd been up there, there was word of wild pigs, snakes and you name it... but I don't know if that can be taken seriously. Students are creative with narrative making fun of the stories most of the time ... which is most welcome.

After we reached the new road (a mere gravel path really ... zilch indication signs by the way) connecting Lugones to Oviedo via Naranco uphill, it felt safe though rather lonely. At last the actual road up from Oviedo to Cristo came through and with it cars of course... We did find another trail heading up through the green, sort of, for half way through you're in antenna land but can't complain... we need them to tweet right?

Jogged the way back down via the main road past the barbecue place, we re-discovered the ancient church site, (stills mandatory) soon followed by the snack and restaurant area which was not too bad. In all it was circa two hours and plenty of non-stop running so better don't ask if my body is informing today, I should do this more often ;-)