A walk for families

This past 9th of October we began the series of Walks for the 2010-2011 season. We went from the Pont de Peramola to Pallerols. It was a day that threatened rain but passed peacefully with alternating sun and some clouds.

At 10 a.m., according to plan, about 70 people met in Oliana. The most notable feature of this walk was the large number of boys and girls who attended. We counted over 25 children, accompanied by their parents, who came mainly from the school Canigó of Barcelona. This was coordinated by Ricardo Gomez, head of the “Club excursionista familiar Canigó” (“Family Outing Club at Canigó).

We divided into two groups:

– Some, who made the entire journey on foot (about 5 hours), led by Jordi Pérez, Octavio Rico, Josep Vilaseca, José Juan Crespo and Gloria Gratacós with their children Tomi and Javi, who were followed by Pere, Javier, Félix , Àngels and more… 15 people in total. As usual, Dani Macià entertained himself throughout the journey classifying the birds he met on the road. He promises soon to send us the corresponding account.

– On the other hand, the largest group made nearly all the tour by car, led by Luis Jaureguízar. They were about 50 people, including the children.

– Jordi Piferrer was on an “ATV” (all-terrain vehicle) picking up the stragglers or those showing signs of exhaustion. With him were Belén and Nacho Jaureguízar, and Ines and Juan Gratacós, who had a “great” time bouncing around in the jeep because of the rugged terrain.

Upon reaching Pallerols, just after 5 p.m., Msgr. Joaquim Monrós celebrated a Mass for the audience.

To complement this brief account, we have attached another one that was sent by Ricardo Gomez of the “Club excursionista familiar Canigó” (“Family Outing Club of Canigó”).

Hiker’s journal: First stage (October, 9th 1910)

We all met at the townhall of Oliana. It was a Saturday morning and although rain had been forecast, in the end it dawned cloudless and it appeared we were going to have a good day trip. A group of 12 families from Canigó, with children ranging from high school down to newborns, met at 10 a.m. Most of the families were from the daycare school of Canigó. This first outing had a strong international character as there were participants from Poland, Switzerland and even Namibia.

We started the drive with the first destination as the hermitage of Castell·llebre. Before we arrived, we knew that to go up we would need a 4WD like Toni’s and so parked in several areas to continue the journey on foot. After a short climb, we arrived to the hermitage, from where we could make out an incredible view of the reservoir of Oliana and the river Segre. There the children had the first chance to run around the woods… From there we headed to the Font del Cane, in Peramola. The drivers of the cars went down with the youngest children, but most of the mothers, among them were Itziar, Isabel, Pilar, Cinta, Lorela, Gloria and Sonsoles, decided to make the journey on foot. Before arriving to the Font del Cané we passed by Can Boix, where Luis explained to us the specialties of the place. We all took notes.

In the Font del Cané the children ran around the park, and some told me they had seen a scorpion… Josep and Gonzalo hiked with some of the children to explore the surroundings. Once we had lunch we went to visit the barn of Peramola where St. Josemaría spent the first night of his journey through the Pyrenees. While Julia was taking pictures, Jordi explained the history to all of us. Later we got back in the cars, and on the way David and I were able to take some of the few remaining figs from a fig tree that was by the road.

Luis, armed with patience, continued guiding the cars in the direction to Pallerols, and after a short while we arrived to the church of Pallerols. There, the children continued exploring the mountain going up and down, while Maria Angeles and others watched for them not to tumble. One of the most exciting moments for the children was when a flock of sheep passed us.

While we were waiting, those that made the journey on foot arrived. Among them, was Joan Carles, who was fully prepared for the climb by bike to Montserrat the following day. Before the Mass, Ricardo told the history of the church of Pallerols to Szczepan, Gonzalo, Bea, Karsten, María and Helga. At 5 p.m. we celebrated the Mass in the church with Msgr. Monrós Joaquim, who was driven by car by Luis from Barcelona. Meanwhile María, Bea and Sonsoles took care of the youngest girls of the group. We finished by having a guided tour of the church and the “oven” where San Josemaría spent the night. The day ended happily as can be seen in the attached group picture.

See you at the next stage.