La Pedriza, high heat of August.

I discovered this smallholding, closed for the summer, except open to the bees that were involved in the many beehives in its garden, when totally lost in this forbidding sierra. The other side of it is touristy, spectacular in its granite forms and also too easy to get lost in but you meet many other walkers and climbers who can help you. On this side, until recently not open to the public, no one is about. I had to climb these mountains and get down the other side in order to find a trail I recognised, then staggered into town with a huge thirst, having run out of water, and having to phone sainted girlfriend to come and get me as I had missed the last bus! I was also drunk by then as I had only beer with which to slake my raging thirst. My girlfriend assumed it was sun stroke! Bless...! I was also supposed to have only taken a gentle stroll to get my strength back after a spell of chemotherapy, so I couldn't admit the truth that a 5 km stroll at ground level turned into a 15 km epic over 1000 metres of waterless slogging uphill!
I felt good the next day though! I needed it! Both the exercise and the alcohol after months of sobriety!