The Pyrenees that is, the dramatic and rugged mountains between France and Spain. The drive from Carcassone to Ainsa, the tiny village in Spain we decided would be our next stop, was very interesting. The French countryside is beautiful and changes gradually from flat plains to the climb through the mountains. Most of the following photos were taken from the car, so they may be less than perfect.
a rural scene near the mountains
the Pyrenees behind the clouds
dramatic countryside
snow on the mountains
quaint village along the way
dramatic scenery
still snow beside the road
above the snow line
I love the mountains
a pretty valley
waiting to go through the tunnel into Spain
our first Spanish town
the countryside changes
the big rock that keeps watch over Ainsa
We chose Ainsa because the guide book says there is no more beautiful village in Aragon after the sun sets. When you see the pictures in the next post you may agree.
Keep hanging out the window taking photos Deb. Roz & John we are with you!
By: Roz on April 5, 2011
at 5:39 am
Today is Madrid.
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 6:10 am
One of my best walks ever was through the Pyrenees – though it’s tougher if you don’t use the tunnel! Thanks for the great photos too. http://richardtulloch.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/the-pyrenees-hiking-the-high-road-to-heaven/
By: Richard Tulloch on April 5, 2011
at 5:47 am
Even easier in a car.
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 6:10 am
Wow, you’re back in winter! Beautiful!
By: rosi on April 5, 2011
at 5:56 am
Fabulous journey….. I was there in 1971 and had quite forgotten it. Love those alps.x
By: mary D on April 5, 2011
at 6:00 am
It’s gorgeous up there.
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 6:10 am
The Pyrenees, my Homeland! Thank you for the great pictures!
By: Anna Harrison on April 5, 2011
at 6:20 am
Lucky you!!!
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 5:06 pm
Wow, these are great pics, except for a couple, you can’t tell they were taken from a car window!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on April 5, 2011
at 6:51 am
Thanks, I’m getting better at the car stuff. My first ones were just a blurr.
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 5:06 pm
I’m only a newbie to your blog site Deb but I thoroughly enjoy each new read. The photography is stunning but then you have great subjects.
By: Kaye on April 5, 2011
at 9:03 am
Yes, it is fairly difficult to take bad photos when everything is gorgeous.
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 5:05 pm
I have done that same drive many years ago and I am followinhg with much interest- never fear your pictures are near perfect even if you are taking them out of the car window. Hope you find the drivers better behaved in Spain that we did all those years ago.
Safe Travels and keep up the news – loving it
Di Cant
By: Di Cant on April 5, 2011
at 9:56 am
Hi Di, The Spanish drivers are far less treacherous than the Italians. They actually stop at pedestrian crossings!!!
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 5:04 pm
Yep….. keep taking those photos Deb, sounds like an amazing drive & I love the Spanish village too.
By: Anna Johnston on April 5, 2011
at 1:26 pm
It was a great drive and the French/Spanish drivers were very courteous.
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 5:03 pm
Looking forward to the next post then! I have yet to see ‘real’ mountains… yes, I’ve seen some, but the Australian ones barely poke into the snow line and they’re not the kinds of places where you come through a pass and see another, bigger one in the way! Great pics!
By: David Robertson on April 5, 2011
at 4:57 pm
Thanks. Most of the time we couldn’t have stopped the car if we had wanted to as the road was quite narrow and there was either a cliff or a wall of rocks beside us.
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 5:02 pm
Love hearing all about your journeys and I am hanging out to see some of the knockout sunsets you promised……..stay safe and well………
By: Moira Drexler on April 5, 2011
at 6:34 pm
The sunset proved to be a fizzer because the weather wasn’t much good, but all was not lost.
By: bagnidilucca on April 5, 2011
at 8:25 pm
I’d like to turn that old church into a B&B. I wonder if anyone would mind…
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on April 5, 2011
at 10:37 pm
If we go back that way I’ll drop in and ask.
By: bagnidilucca on April 6, 2011
at 5:55 am
[…] and from and around Spain. I had fun taking photos from the car. We began our Spain journey in the Pyrenees. driving through the Pyrenees there were lots of tiny villages very […]
By: Driving all over Spain « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on September 12, 2011
at 12:35 pm