Summer Trip 2014 - Second Catch-up

Encamped for a week with internet so a quick update:

27th May Peyrepertuse - 95miles today

Left the campsite at Grau d'Adge after two weeks of variable weather; at least the van is warm and dry when it's wet and cold outside - sure beats a tent!

Odd looking sort of fortified cathedral in Adge

Drove through Beziers and Narbonne to wards the Pays Cathar to the west of Perpignan wit distant views of snow capped Pyrenees in the distance. Passed a number of Cathar Castles and visited Quillan and Padarn.

Chateau Aquillar perched on a hilltop

Chateau Padarn form the village car park - lunch stop before climbing up to it

Chaeau Padarn: Looking down on the village

Chateau Quillan on a rock outcrop on a long ridge

Chateau Quillan from the long and steep climb

Chateau Quillan: towards the Pyrenees and Mediterranean

Chateau Peyrepertuse built on the edge of a cliff above the village

Stayed overnight at a free aire in a village below Chateau Peyrepertuse.

Aire below Peyrepertuse

View from the Aire back towards Chateau Quillan on the skyline

28th to 29th May Platja d'Aro -196miles

The weather forecast was not good in France so headed south into Spain through the Tech Valley and over the Pyrenees by the Col d'Ares. Headed towards a free aire at a seaside resort (Platja a'Aro) about 10miles form Gerona.

Prats de Mollo in the Tech Valley with Vauban Fort above

Crossing the Pyrenees:The Col a'Ares (1513m) 

The beach at Platja d'Aro - spent the afternoon near the yellow tent!

Stayed at Platja d'Aro for a couple of nights then moved on south planning to stay in Spain for two weeks before returning to France.

30th May - 6th June 114miles today

Left Platja d'Aro, by-passed Barcelona on incredibly busy motorways (had to pay tolls the first time this trip!). Now booked in at a campsite for a week, Camping RealxSol at Torredembarra just to the north of Tarragona. Aires are few and far between in Spain compared to France. 

So have beach, cycle trails and the lady at the reception has promised to take me walking in the mountains on Tuesday. 

Typically a pleasant 22C to 24C most of the time with blue skies;but, seem to have thunderstorms in the afternoon . Better than working though! May move down to the Ebro Delta next week - supposedly excellent wetland  for birds.