Meandering through the Spanish Pyrenees

We have had a  lovely two or three days discovering the absolute splendour of the Spanish Pyrenees and their National Parks. I don't think we had  any idea quite how magnificent the scenery is up here, where blue mountain rivers plunge down through vast gorges.
 Though our progress on the road has generally been slow as we have chosen winding mountain roads for the most part, the reward has been consistently wonderful views on a pretty epic scale.
We left  Saldes after eating a proper English breakfast (cooked ourselves, of course, not bought) then headed for La Seu D'Urgell, our next chosen destination. It was only about 60 miles or so but given the terrain probably took us about three hours. As well as the scenery we were fascinated by the sight of tens of thousands of cocoons in the pine trees. 'How pretty,' we thought. However, research tells us they belong to (or have been left behind by) the Processional Caterpillar - a fearsome little critter best avoided, especially by dogs! Arrived in La Seu D'Urgell in early afternoon and had a stroll and a drink on a beautiful tree-shaded avenue. A small but bustling commercial centre for the mountain community it seems a fine town.
Our campsite was a couple of miles out of town - very quiet and with good facilities. Weather was excellent and we took the opportunity to do a bit of shopping/laundry etc.
After a night there we headed for the highly recommended Aragonian town of Ainsa. Another 130 or so miles on the clock (over 1500 now) but well worth it. Another amazing drive with a lunch stop 'on top of the world' looking down over a vast plain surrounded by mountains and with about 40 raptors of varying species circling above and even below. Really one of the best views  of us has ever seen. We were joined by a posse of flash French sports cars at one point as the route is favoured by motor enthusiasts and bikers who rate it as one of their 'must do rides'.
We are now in our second day on this site just outside Ainsa and resting up before heading into the Rioja region. The medieval village of Ainsa itself is famed as a 'gem' of Aragon and we walked around it this morning in glorious sunshine. Part of it dates from the 11th century.
We are lucky to be here at this time of year, though, according to a lady we met in town this morning. She told us, in exceptional English, that the place is just too busy in July and August, almost too famous for its own good, she said. When we asked why her English was so perfect she said it was because she worked for several years as a Chartered Accountant in Birmingham and London before reinventing herself as a yoga teacher! Other  coincidences include meeting a couple on this campsite who are from Malvern and another who recognised Ted as a Patterdale because they have one at home in the U.K.!!
We are pretty settled into the travelling life now, picking a few provisions up here and there as we go, cooking on site (though last night we did have a pizza from the excellent on site restaurant!) and our pack up and go routine is down to about twenty minutes now!
The main problem in recent days has been Lyn's fear of a bear attack. Since reading that there are brown bears in these mountains (very few, probably about 30) she has been convinced that their
favoured diet is middle-aged English couples so we have had to be very cautious! The weather has been good (28 degrees or so) for the last couple of days but might change tomorrow apparently.