Views from the school run to Ituren
The best way to start off this invitation is with a picture of Ituren on the school run down the mountain earlier this week .. and if this photo came with a sound track, you would also hear the haunting cries of the cranes as they cross the valley fleeing the winter from the north. True to Amatxi’s prognosis we are now experiencing an Indian summer or “quince summer” (el veranillo de San Miguel o el veranillo del membrillo). With the warm golden sunshine and the walnuts ripening on out-stretched sheets in the farms this is by far the most beautiful time to see the area.
Invitation: 17th November 2012
Those who are up for the adventure are welcome to join me for a light lunch of cheese and wine etc. at my home in Ameztia, Ituren this Saturday between 13.00 – 14.30. Afterwards I invite you all to join me on a pretty walk along the shepherding paths and smugglers tracks that lead from the house so that we can enjoy the stunning autumn colours! The perfect tonic before winter sets in.
Here are the directions: Good luck!
Take the N121a from Behobia, direction Iruña/Pamplona and turn off at Donestebe (Santesteban). Cross the village and take the direction to Leiza, passing the village of Elgorriaga and then Ituren. As you enter the village of ITUREN (from N121A and Santesteban) you will pass the Farmacia on your right, then an Asador on your left. Soon afterwards you will find a square on your left and a road that goes off to the left alongside the square (direction LATSAGA). Take this turning. This road crosses over a bridge and continues past some small, modern houses on the left and at the end of the road some older houses (the first with a large balcony over-looking the road). Here, do NOT enter the area of the older houses but follow the road as it takes a very sharp and steep fork to the left. Follow this road about 3 km uphill through the countryside until you get to a set of blue rubbish containers.
At the rubbish containers the road forks; it goes either straight ahead (putting the first house on your left-hand side) or forks steeply left up-hill (putting the first house to your right). At the rubbish containers go straight ahead, putting the first house on your left hand side and continue gently up hill. You will soon pass fields on both sides and drive through the middle of a farm, the farmhouse to your right. (If you see anyone at the farm say hello and ask then for directions to my house). If not, continue up-hill until you come to a cemented crossroads. (More in the shape of an X than a +). Continue straight ahead/leftish along the flat along a row of walnut trees and you will soon see a wide turning to your left. Do NOT take it).
Continue straight ahead on the road that gently bares right (putting a largish barn (which looks like the face of a Koala Bear) to the left of you). The road climbs and then dips and passes through some chestnut trees with a long barn above a field to your right. When you come out of the trees you will see a sign saying IAULIN BORDA and a gravel drive dipping sharply away to your left. Take it. The house you see to your left is ours! You have earned the first drink simply by getting here!
P.S: (Bring walking boots and warm clothes and a bottle of water)
We’d love to come, the colours look so beautiful but, as you know, we are at the other end of the Pyrenees – at bit too far. Have fun anway.
Really, it isn’t that difficult to find you!