Reconaissance Spain 2013
November 2013
LAUNCHED: 19 April 2014. LAST UPDATED:
Saturday, 9 November 2013. Up early and around 7:30 off by cab to Stansted Airport. Time for a nice breakfast, then lined up for the plane (Ryanair). About a two-hour flight to Girona, Spain. Warm and sunny. Picked up the rental car and headed off for Empuriabrava where Mary has a flat. (We're here to reconnoitre a spot for the next SIAFU reunion, our trans-African trip back in the 1970s.) A gigantic marina community.
The view from Mary's flat. That's it two floors above the red car.
Nice two-bedroom flat with a balcony. Not too far from the sea. Soon after we arrive we go upstairs to a friendŐs flat, Delores Coma Mir. She prepared a nice lunch of sandwiches, tomatoes, cheese, wine, etc. Walked around the area, along the beach and one of the main streets. Many shops were closed as the season is over. Later met up with Delores again and drove to Peralada and walked around this old town. Dark but with lights most everywhere. There's a Casino in the old castle.
The dark streets of Peralada. The Casino.
Met friends of Delores: Dorothy and Enrique. Had some local champagne (cava) at a restaurant.
Enrique, Dorothy, Delores and Mary.
Then we headed back stopping in Vilanova de la Muga at Restaurant La Muga. Had some local dishes including fresh mushrooms.
Enjoying dinner at La Muga.
Back to MaryŐs and to bed after a long day.
Sunday, 10 November 2013. Headed off after breakfast to the Aero Club to watch some skydiving: pretty hairy! A few steps away is Windoor, a big vertical wind tunnel affair that gives one the sensation of skydiving.
Skydiving and Windoor.
Then to Castello d' Empuries, the nearby old historic town, where we parked and walked around. Had a look at the Cathedral.
The Cathderal in Castello d' Empuries.
A door in Castello d' Empuries and the "washing place".
From there to Cadaques, approached by a twisty road going up and going down.
Approaching Cadaques and a view back on the way to Dali's house.
I bet Dali planted the tree. It's just outside his house.
Drove through the town then to the edge where Salvador DaliŐs house is. You need to book ahead so we couldnŐt get in. Continued on and stopped for lunch is Port de la Selva at the Ca la Paquita Had a good paella and wine.
Enjoying paella in Port de la Selva.
Gradually worked our way back and went through Peralada again, this time in daylight. Back to MaryŐs flat for a quick lie-down. Met up with Delores and drove up to Roses to see Pilar, a friend of Delores and MaryŐs. Walked up the road with them and had tapas and wine at a local place, El Caiman.
Tapas in Roses: Mary, Pilar and Rob.
Watched some TV, then to bed. During the night the Tramuntana winds started blowing.
Monday, 11 November 2013. Tramuntana winds still blowing but a sunny and blue sky. Took it easy most of the day. Had a long lunch at Taberna del Mar, a seafood place overlooking the beach. A little siesta. Around 8 went out to Siam et Shiki, a Thai restaurant up the road. Early start tomorrow.
Tuesday, 12 November 2013. Got up around 4:30am and headed off by 5am and were at the Girona airport by 7. Checked in and were soon on our way. Had a coffee and a breakfast bun at the airport while waiting for a taxi for MaryŐs house.
Went into Bishops Stortford. To the Post Office for stamps; then the station to buy a ticket for tomorrow; then to the Library to check e-mail. Some other errands. Mary shows up around 6:30 and after a bit we go to Il Giardino, an Italian restaurant, and have a nice dinner. Walk back to her house and to bed.
Wednesday, 13 November 2013. Up around 7 or so and finish packing. A cup of coffee, then Mary drives me to the station. Take the train to Tottenham Hale, tube to Finsbury Park and change to the Piccadilly Line then again to the Heathrow train at Barons Court. Fly to Dublin. Through security twice and finally on our way from Dublin. Soon after I arrive, the Boston Express bus to Nashua arrives. My car is still in the parking lot and it starts up fine. Stop on the way home and get some groceries, also gas, the price of which has dropped significantly since I left. Arrived at a cold house: turned the water and the furnace on and went to bed.
All my trip photos—the good and the bad— are at http://smu.gs/1irjx2P and http://smu.gs/1jUygUt