After a spring somewhat upset by Emile’s diagnosis, it was not until July that VivaLaVida left its winter quarters to resume service.
 
Three days for a big engine, transmission and running gear service – thanks to the Garage BN in St-Martin/FR for the loan of the place – two additional days to reload all the stuff and we’re ready to leave towards South on July 15th. Emile is in heaven, he who has been asking me for two months “When are we going to travel again in VivaLaVida?!”. After a first night in the campground where we had waited for the wheel studs two years ago – Emile was hoping to see Lilou again, a little girl he met during our last stay – we continue towards the Pyrenees.
 
 
1. First spot that we are gonna discover, the “Fontaine des Amours” (Fountain of Loves), a pretty natural pool.
 

 
 
2. Not very far, we explore the remains of a Roman bridge…
 

 
 
3. It was rebuilt identically after a major flood thirty years ago.
 

 
 
4. We find a quiet boondocking place not far to spend the night in the hills of Ariège…
 

 
 
5. … and we make the first and last campfire of this vacation for our barbecue. While it has rained a lot here and the risk of wildfire is non-existent this evening, it won’t be the same later…
 

 
 
6. After reaching Andorra la Vella where we shop some groceries to fill the fridge, we decide to drive up to Pico Negro. The trail has become so busy that there is a guard of Guarda Civile who charges €25 at the start of the trail. As it’s already late afternoon, VLV climbs without stopping too much on a track in places very washed out by storms and reaches a first flat area at around 7,200 feet elevation. We don’t meet anyone there.
 

 
 
7. After approx. an hour’s drive, she arrives in sight of the summit, at about 8,900 feet above sea level.
 

 
 
8. After the summit, we go further to the famous VW van carcass near which we spend the night.
 

 
 
9. VLV at the camp…
 

 
 
10. Climbing on the small summit overlooking it…
 

 
 
11. … to enjoy sunset.
 

 
 
12. Evening quietness…
 

 
 
13. See you tomorrow sunshine !
 

 
 
14. Dusk…
 

 
 
See you soon for more! 😀