We’re on the move again this morning leaving Arenas de Cabrales after an excellent two days and moving out to the edge of the Picos to Canges de Onis for just the one night. We’re headed there specifically to visit Covadonga and Lakes Enol and Ercina. After a late breakfast we again load up the car and head for Covadonga. It’s raining and an awful grey miserable day. We arrive at Cannes de Onis and take the road up to Covadonga and by now the rain is pouring from the sky. We decide against stopping to visit the basilica and continue on the road for a further 12km to reach the top. It’s a twisty narrow road that’s barely wide enough to fit two cars let alone a Winnebago or a coach, a number of which we have to squeeze past. The rain abates slightly and as we ascend the mist descends. A cue for the cars in front become even more cautious and their respective speeds decrease dramatically. We’re now stuck in a slow tortuous uphill procession. Dodging cows as we ascend there’s nowhere to turn around and we’re committed to reaching the top. But it’s ok we reassure each other when we reach the top the traffic jam will end and we’ll be rewarded with the sight of two beautiful little lakes, potentially set against snow capped peaks.
It’s not our day to be rewarded, the views were absolutely non-existent. We’ll never believe another Lonely Planet or Instagram photo again🙄!! We don’t even get out of the car, we eat some car snacks and prepare for the snail like drive down the hill dodging livestock and in addition some mad cyclists for good measure. It’s pouring again when we reach Covadonga, we don’t stop to walk to the basilica and continue driving down to the valley floor. Finally, the rain abates and we stop for a walk along the river we have to do something this has been a ridiculous afternoon. We return to town and locate our hotel and an early dinner. It’s been a thoroughly dreary day, but fortunately it’s the first one since we commenced our road trip not bad for 15 days. We’re on the move again tomorrow and console ourselves with the thought that the weather is due to improve, fingers crossed.
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