Sometimes the best decisions don't need that much planning. I finally had a free weekend, and a friend asked me if I wanted to join in on a weekend getaway with a few more friends. Nothing elaborated, going on Saturday morning, coming back Sunday whenever. It was to an area with a lot of nature and hiking trails, so it was an easy answer. And as we arrived to our accommodation, I was even more glad I joined in.
There are worse places to stay, for sure: beautiful houses overlooking a river beach! Small waterfalls as the water flowed from a shallower to a deeper one, and then to a wild setting again.
The area all around is well cleaned and prepared, while still maintaining a natural feel. There was a nearby swimming pool, but who wants to be in an artificial pool with this beauty standing next to it??
As we walked along the river, a white throated dipper flew by: one of my favourite passerine species, which I had only seen in one specific location, and only twice in my life! And along the margins, a few more cool species, such as a praying mantis.
Also a species always present in the mountain rivers in my youth: we called.them alfaiates (translates to tailors), and supposedly the name comes from the way they move in the water surface, resembling scissors. But have no idea about the exact species.
The water was freaking cold. Then again, I wasn't expecting anything else. The weather was great, and jumping in the cold water and warming again laying against the sun-warmed rocks nearby, lizard style, is an activity that I repeated countless times in my teen years. It felt just as great here.
Nature is enough for me to relax and recharge, adding good company and good food makes it even better. Hopefully cool hiking will follow tomorrow!
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