More of the Costa Brava
Trip Start
Jun 24, 2010
1
12
19
Trip End
Jul 08, 2010
Where I stayed
again at the farm house
Cadaques, Catalonia, Spain
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The destination was Cadaques, touted as amongst the most beautiful towns on the Costa Brava. We also planned on spending the night there and then doing a loop through France on July 2.
The drive included some time on a high-speed toll road, the A-7, which I was very happy about. In the end, though, it got tough again going over the Pyrenees range on some really tight and very windy roads. It took all three of the back seat drivers to keep me totally focused on the technical driving. As you clear the pass and wind down into the town you get your first views of Cadaques, a town all painted white and centered in one of the many bays on the coast.
We knew from experience in Tossa to start early looking for parking early and were reinforced when nothing was available. You end up dead-ending into the shoreline and are forced left or right. We went to the right and were soon on a one lane curving street hanging a half dozen feet over the waters edge. No gate, no fence, no border. You could simply drive over the edge, either by accident or intent, and begin your swimming immediately! As a driver, your eyes are distracted constantly. Buildings, shops, restaurants, pedestrians, mopeds, topless sun bathers, the Pyrenees, and the jagged coast all compete for their attention. No worries though. Becky and Chris from the back were always there to give me an earful when I strayed.
We finally found a decent spot on a side street and were able to get out after an hour twenty driving from the our home Mas Cullell. We had brought some goodies and everyone was willing so we just sat down on a short wall and had a picnic facing the sea. Local bread, Manchego, dark cherries, oranges, cold beer, and bottled water made up the menu and it all got eaten.
We headed to the main "beach"...picture a beach covered with dark colored flat river rock, soft to the foot but at the same time not really inviting a game of beach volleyball or a serious snooze. No matter, we set up and out came the books and SPF creams and we beached. Becky, Chris, and Dan "swam" (got wet up to their navels) for short bits and then got restless to walk the town. I had begged for a group moped rental or boat ride but to no avail as they packed up for the walk. I almost got sucked along but the water called me for a serious swim and off I went, agreeing to meet them two bays over to the north. I kept my shirt and sunglasses on for the sun. Swimming here is so easy. With all the salt in the water and no waves to speak of, one can go for miles without real effort.
I rejoined the group as planned after a wonderful swim and we continued north on foot along the coast. The girls spotted another swimming cove further on and we climbed down and bathed again, sharing a small space with more of the blissfully oblivious topless sunbathers. After a seaside lunch it was back towards town where the girls wanted to really work the shops, now that more of them were finally opening up. Dan and I were granted relief and quickly rented mopeds, which enabled the two of us to completely circle the cove high and low. After some early nerves we found that it was very easy, a lot of fun, and a great way to cover a lot of scenic ground.
By 7.30pm, with plenty of sun still left, we shelved our plan to spend the night and headed back to Mas Cullell where we fresh picked a salad and cooked grilled vegetables on the outside grill.
Another awesome day in Spain complete!
Comments
I have not seen a reference to our required 10,000 steps/day schedule that Becky has us on, courtesy of HP. That explains all that shopping.... we have to get in our steps!
And another thing about the shopping.... Dan and Scott have acquired new "manly" bracelets. Be sure to comment on these!
that last entry was from Becky. Dan bought the darn things and gave one to me...unrequested. So there!
the "manly" entry was actually from Chris! Sorry Beck...
In looking back over these entries, I am not seeing my comments. I have been posting every day so this is surprising to me. Sometimes I write quite long entries and I always click, Post Comment. I wonder what gives???
You don't seem to have replied to any of my comments either, but I thought that was because you were so busy writing new ones...
Are my comments just going into a sort of limbo? Let me know...I already posted a comment on this dayus adventures yesterday. What fun and how funny!!! All the falls into the brambles and all!!!