Geo: 41.2357, 1.69233Yesterday (Monday) we 'did' Barcelona - a tiring, 12-hour day, but you just have to do it. We were particularly keen to see some of Gaudi's legacy and the two attractions we visited did not disappoint.We chose to go in by train from Vilanova y Geltru, so caught the bus from outside the site gates for the 30-minute round-the-houses journey to the station. We got on a Barcelona-bound train but it later turned out that our tickets were not valid for this particular network, and sensed that this happens frequently as we were let off by the inspector. On the approach to the city, it was raining, which we had not bargained for so first of all got on the tour bus for which we had purchased advance tickets (sitting undercover rather than on ... read more

Geo: 42.5761, 2.34443Today (Wednesday) we let the train take the strain to transport us from nearby Villefranche-de-Conflent to Mont Louis, on part of the 39-mile special metre gauge track that ends at Latour de Carol, near the Spanish border town of Puigcerda. The yellow livery of the train is highlighted with red, representing the traditional Catalan colours - they seem to play on this quite a lot round here.The line, which was begun in 1903, is a spectacular feat of civil engineering and for the section of the route that we chose hugs the deep valley of the River Tet, through forests, chasms and gushing streams. This is achieved with numerous tunnels, bridges, viaducts, not to mention France's only rail suspension bridge (Pont Gisclard).Based on the trains (electric powered, by the way) which have passed alongside ... read more

Geo: 42.576, 2.34444As nearby Villefranche-de-Conflent was going to be busy today with activities for the medieval festival, we chose to head for the peace and quiet of the hills, or more appropriately the area around Mount Canigou, to visit the Abbey of Saint-Martin. Just 20 minutes from the site is the small village of Castiels and as far as we could go with the car, so we then took the 30-40 minute up-hill hike to the Abbey itself. Underfoot is a concrete road which is travelled by Defenders ferrying those unable or who choose not to go on foot, and presumably supplies and other deliveries. The route twists and turns, but it is the heat that is the 'killer' for me, so I was glad that we had set off reasonably early, but also to be ... read more

Geo: 43.3186, 3.14259Monday evening, we walked to the port for 6.45pm where we were greeted by the 'captain', Rene, and his 'mate', (in more ways than one given that they are also man and wife), Paule, and boarded Le Bonpas as part of the total eleven passengers for the cruise, including a party of four celebrating a birthday. Settled into informal seating at the front of the boat, safety instructions explained, we were served aperitifs by Paule before casting off, or whatever it is in boating 'speak'.Other than us two, the remainder were French spoken, so whilst Rene enthusiastically did the majority of the commentary in French (his English is limited and we were unable to follow his French), Paule discreetly translated the salient bits on our behalf, thankfully. She gave us some background to the ... read more

Geo: 43.3186, 3.14277After 'wretched' Wednesday, we were glad to be on our way out of the Camargue yesterday morning following a further battle with the mozzies. Which is a pity because some of our experiences were positive ones, such as the buildings of Arles, flamingoes, camp entertainment.By 8.30am, we were heading for the motorway yet again taking us in a westerly direction towards Languedoc - an area we had visited a few years ago - but this time we were making for a small place called Colombiers, just outside Beziers. At around 11.00, we pulled in at Camping Les Peupliers and shortly afterwards set about pitching, then after lunch got stuck into the chores. The caravan was in desperate need of a good 'bottoming' as they say, so out went the mats for a good beating ... read more