Torredambarra

30th May to 6th June Torredambarra (Camping RelaxSol)

Stayed for a week here at the campsite (good ASCI rate). Us pensioners need to watch the euros! Also, not very many free aires in Spain, compared to France, and wild camping is well dodgy in Spain. So 'economy' campsites are useful.

Departed Torredambarra this morning to end up at L'Ampolla (about 50 miles south), on the northern edge of the Ebro Delta which is well known for its bird life and wetland habitat - looks like there is a reserve just down the road from the campsite. 

Yet another 'cheapie' campsite next to the beach, about 11 euro a day with electric hook-up included (but, the amperage must be low...the water heater works but I can't boil an electric kettle..haven't tried the vacuum cleaner out yet or the electric hob! Just as well there are gas alternatives on board). Pictures -- next post. Here's some from the Torredambarra stop-over.

Camping RelaxSol about 9pm

A week of beach, sun, cycling, a bit of walking and culture too.....again!

As well as seeing the wetland/dune reserve between the camping site and the sea, I cycled out to a couple of Nature Reserves and the hills. There were hot rocky coves for sunbathing with pine clad cliffs above at the Reserva da Punta da Tamarit, near La Moro, about 10km towards Tarragona.

Torredambarra - Wet-land/Dune Reserve between the camping and sea

La Moro - Castillo at the Reserva Punta da Tamarit

La Moro - Rocky coves at Reserva Punta da Tamarit

Carmen. the receptionist at the camping, was kind enough to take me walking for a day near Siurana, a hill top village in the Prades Mountains. Red and pink cliffs, water, trees, flowers and butterflies in abundance....and excellent paella for lunch at the rustic camping site there. The waitress offered to come travelling with me. We encountered a Roman Villa on the way back to the campsite with some intact wall paintings and a mosaic.

Siurana - The Siurana Reservoir.
The village of Siurana is perched on the edge of the cliff on the left

Siurana - The upper part of the valley.

Siurana - The road up to the village and campsite
 The cliffs are a world renown climbing mecca. 

Siurana - The Village

Siurana - Butterfly, no idea what make.

Siurana - another one...ditto.

Siurana - More wildlife assisting with cliff stabilization.
 Thought all this work related nonsense ended last year! 

Villa Romana des Munts - Baths

Villa Romana des Munts - Pretty obvious what these are
.... ' crap and chat'....
 sort of pre-internet chat room.

Villa Romana des Munts- Amazing to see painted murals in situ after nearly 2000 years.

Tarragona, with the old town on the hill above the port, is really interesting and lively. It has aload of Roman remains mixed in with the new - and not so new.

Tarragona - The Cathedral from the cloister

Tarragona -  The Roman Theater adjacent to the sea - oddly
there is a ruined church inside it.

Tarragona - The Cathedral tower.

Tarragona - Typical street scene in the old town.

Tarragona - Another one!

Tarragona - Flower decorated railed balconies abound

 - as do various versions of the Catalan Flag.

 The locals consider themselves Catalan and not Spanish

 - but independence seems a long way away.

Tarragona - That theater again - here from the
  Balcon de Mediterraneo.