Tarragona 2011

Date

Activity

Km

Thur Mar 3^rd

Drove from Correze to Tarragona

Drive from Correze to Miami Platja in Tarragona. Saw wildfire in southern France on the way down, torrential rain as we arrived in Miami Platja and the streets were awash.

661

Fri Mar 4^th

Shopping in Miami Platja, then drove to Delta de l’Ebre

In the morning, we went Miami Platja for shopping and a look around, and found it fairly unprepossessing. In theory, it’s a seaside town, but there is a railway line that all but cuts off the main town from the beaches… very strange.

Tarragona region of Spain: a Hoopoe (Upupa epops) in the Delta de l’Ebre

In the afternoon, we went to the Delta de l’Ebre region. Took pics of a Hoopoe, wandered around the river and sea frontages.

Tarragona region of Spain: the Delta de l’Ebre

Lin on a boardwalk in the Delta de l’Ebre

118

Sat Mar 5^th

Stayed local in the morning, then drove to Miravet.

The Tarragona region of Spain: the pretty village of Pratdip

Picked up bread in the morning. In the afternoon, we drove to Miravet via Pratdip(!), and a rickety car ferry that could accommodate one car!

The car ferry across the River Ebre at Miravet

The Tarragona region of Spain: the distant village and castle of Miravet

The Tarragona region of Spain: the village and castle of Miravet overlooking the River Ebre.

Miravet is a pretty town on an escarpment next to the River Ebre. We walked some way up to the castle on the hilltop before being overcome with the need for a beer.

The Tarragona region of Spain: the village of Miravet overlooking the River Ebre.

It was a cool and overcast evening, but there was a carnival in Miami Platja, so we checked it but it was a cool and grey evening, so we adjourned to a local restaurant for dinner.

82

Sun Mar 6^th

Local market, then drove to Mont-Roig del Camp and Cambrils.

The seafront at L’Hospitalet de l’Infant

Woke up to bright sunshine. Drove to the waterfront, parked, and walked across the local river, the Riu de Llastres into L’Hospitalet de l’Infant for the market. It was a good market, and I remember buying a few things, including a pair of deck shoes.

The Tarragona region of Spain: the hilltop village of Mont-roig del Camp

In the afternoon, we drove to Mont-roig del Camp, had a wander round, and then onwards to the coastal town of Cambrils.

66

Mon Mar 7^th

Tarragona and Roc de Sant Gaietà

The Spanish city of Tarragona: the mediaeval Torre del Pretori

The Spanish city of Tarragona: the Roman amphitheatre

The Spanish city of Tarragona: an attractive iron balcony

The Spanish city of Tarragona: Baixada de la Misericòrdia – a steep cobbled street near the Cathedral

The Spanish city of Tarragona: the Cathedral of Santa Tecla

The Spanish city of Tarragona: restaurants and bars on the Plaza de la Font

Drove into Tarragona for sight-seeing, lunch, etc. Had about 3 hours there, then drove up the coast to the quirky little coastal village of Roc de Sant Gaietà. Walked some way along the coastal path, and then back into the village for beers.

Spain’s Tarragona region: the coastal line between the cities of Tarragona and Barcelona

Spain’s Tarragona region: the pretty village of Roc de Sant Gaietà

Spain’s Tarragona region: the coastal path near the village of Roc de Sant Gaietà

158

Tue Mar 8^th

Stayed local

Woke up to grey skies and high winds. Went to the seafront and took pics of the waves. Spent the rest of the day at the house reading. In the evening we walked into town for a meal.

0

Wed Mar 9^th

Drove to Peñiscola

Peñiscola, Spain: the old town and Papal Palace, Castillo Papa Luna

A pleasant day, so we drove to Peñiscola for sight-seeing and lunch. It was about an hour’s drive south. An interesting place with the old town and castle built on an isthmus with attractive beaches on both sides.

198

Thur Mar 10^th

Drove to Girona airport to pick up Mick and Sharon

A nice sunny day. Mick and Sharon arrived at Girona airport in the afternoon, and we had a little sight-seeing in Girona on the way back to the house.

462

Fri Mar 11^th

Drove back to the Delta to see the flamingoes

Tarragona region of Spain: the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) in the Delta de l’Ebre

Started sunny, and al fresco breakfasts all round. Then it clouded over, and we drove (back) to Deltebre and the Delta de l’Ebre region. Took many pics of flamingoes, then found a bar for drinks.

124

Sat Mar 12^th

Rain, so stayed local

Horrible weather… cool with torrential rain. We drove into L’Hospitalet de l’Infant for tapas lunch. The footbridge was closed due to the swollen river. I took pics of the river, red with run-off, flowing into the sea and turning that red too.

8

Sun Mar 13^th

Local market, then drove to Peñiscola

The Tarragona region of Spain: the River Llastres near the town of L’Hospitalet de l’Infant

The Tarragona region of Spain: the market at L’Hospitalet de l’Infant

A lovely sunny day, so we all walked into L’Hospitalet de l’Infant to checkout the market. I don’t think any of us bought anything this time.

Peñiscola, Spain: the south beach in the mist

“Above and below”. Fish and ducks in the harbour of Peñiscola in Spain:

Afterwards, we drove into Peñiscola and had a leisurely wander round. It was slightly surreal weather with sea mists blowing in from time to time.

Peñiscola, Spain: part of the Papal Palace of Pope Benedicto XIII (Papa Luna)

Peñiscola, Spain: a window in a house of shells

Peñiscola, Spain: the North Beach (Playa Norte) taken from the Castle walls

Peñiscola, Spain: the old town above the Templar fortifications

We found a bar for refreshments and a sit-down, then walked back to the car and drove home.

Peñiscola, Spain: steps near the Castillo Papa Luna

212

Mon Mar 14^th

Drove to Tarragona

Pottered locally in the morning, then drove into Tarragona for the afternoon.

The Spanish city of Tarragona: part of the Roman amphitheatre

The Spanish city of Tarragona: the avenue Rambla Nova

The Spanish city of Tarragona: the “Balcón del Mediterráneo” at the end of Rambla Nova

124

Tue Mar 15^th

Took train to Barcelona

The train station at L’Hospitalet de L’Infants, and the arrival of the Barcelona train

Looming very large for us all, was a trip to Barcelona; unfortunately, this was our last full day together and we woke up to a grey and rainy day. We decided to make the best of it, and do it anyway. We drove into L’Hospitalet de l’Infant and took the 10:55 train into Barcelona. We arrived in thunderstorms and torrential rain. We paid over the odds for some cheap umbrellas from an opportunistic local guy, and the umbrellas fell apart after about 30 minutes use!

Barcelona: Passeig de Colom and the Christopher Columbus Monument (Mirador de Colom).

Barcelona harbour: the schooner “Santa Eulàlia

Barcelona: the World Trade Centre and the British registered motor yacht “Titan”

The rain eventually stopped, but it stayed cloudy and gloomy. We had a wander round the harbour area, then a nice lunch at La Fonda in La Ramblas area of Barcelona. We checked out some of the Gaudi buildings on our way back to the train station.