Tuesday 25th April 2023

Last full day in Albarracín.

I am writing this in the hotel waiting for Jools to return from her trip to some hot springs. I have been huting butterflies once again, and although no new species for me today, lots seen and another 300 shots taken.

We do the usual stuff before going down the 500 steps to breakfast, where there is the usual rolls, yogurt, cakes and cold meats and cheese. And coffee.

Back up to the room for last minute preparations, Jools leaves at nine as the springs were about a two hour drive away, and we meet up at the buses at half nine, all ready for the half hour trip to the first stop.

Cañón de los Arcos is a beauty spot. And a fine canyon winding back into the mountains, all carved by a small stream. Before the cayon closes in, there are a few meadow, and on those should be the butterflies.

I say should be, because it would seem Spanish butterflies like their kip, and didn't really start appearing until half eleven, when we had just half an hour before we moved on.

But there was the canyon to explore, and look at the flowers and other plants. Above us over 30 Griffin Vlutures circled, it now warm enough for them ride thermals, and just above the cliffs, several Chouffs squawked and flapped the morning away.

A few other visitors were there too, but for the most part, it was just our party stretched out along the path through and into the canyon.

I suppose we got a bit used to spectacular settings and landscapes, but the sheer rock faces and views opening up as I pressed in into the canyon were a wonder for the eyes, and also be out of earshot of other people.

The next two stops were revisits as they had been so fruitful, the first a 20 minute drive to the dried up river valley, where we hoped to see more Large Tortoiseshells.

I had the joy of sitting in the front passenger seat whilst Dave drove, so had views of the rolling countryside and picturesque villages we went through, it also kept Gillian quiet ias she was in the seats behind, though she did try to complain about most things.

We parked in the valley, had lunch of salads! roughage!

Then we went off, with me offering to show Gillian where I saw the Large Torties, as she had never seen them before. We ambled up the track and sat waiting for 45 minutes, but none came down from the treetops.

However, on the walk back, a single one was perched at the top of a rock face, and on occasion, sunlight would glint off its wings. Other had seen it land, so we know it was on, so in the world of flutterbies it counts as a species tick.

Next up was a quiet lay by we had been to on Monday, hoping to see a repeat of the Sooty Orange Tip action. As we climbed out of the bus, on of the Japanese guests realised she had lost her bag at the previous site, and it contained her passport! So Dave took her back so they could rescue it, which they did as the valley is so unvisited.

We milled around, but no repeat of the excitement, but more shots taken anyway.

And that was it for another day. Another 12,000 steps done, and more hot and bothered than on previous days. Just glad to get back on the bus one last time for the 15 mile drive back to the hotel.

So, at eight, we walk down to the restaurant to wait for the rest of the group, where we have our last dinner in the town, and as a treat the owners supply us with home made flavoured liqueurs that flowed well into the night.