Gaudi and back into France

Welcome to the Costa Brava! (Lin here)
On Sat.8th Nov we enjoyed our visit to the Dali museum in Figueras: highlights were the car, that rains inside, the unfolding picture beside the crucifix, the wacky optical illlusions amongst many. We left Figueras around midday and headed along the N11 coastal road towards Barcelona. I wasn't feeling too good today and slept much of the journey. Stopped at a port and sat on the beach having a picnic in clear blue skies. Around 50k from Barcelona we began to notice solitary women sitting on white plastic chairs at the roadside. What were they selling! Well Brent had a good look and they had no wares...except for themselves and as the kilometres went by they became increasingly scantily clad. How bizarre! Thought about stopping outside of Barcelona, but the traffic was terrible and there were no obvious hotels, so we ended up driving into the centre. Quelle horreur! Brent was knackered and couldn't get the car into the miniscule place on offer in the car park, so the attendant did it for us! After a visit to the tourist office, where we thought 76 Euros too much to pay for a room we wandered the streets looking for accommodation...turned into a nightmare and around 8pm we decided to head back out of the city. We ended up on a campsite staying in a “bungalow” for 6 people, which cost us...would you believe it...76 euros! Oh well! Sunday 9th we got the train into Place Catalunya for 2E60 and spent a lovely day in the sun exploring Barcelona: highlights were the gothic quarter and the Gaudi buildings. Around 7 pm we headed back to the station and got on the Mataro train, which stopped one station short of our stop. We ventured into the town and found a lovely square buzzing with life, with a little market. It was around 8.30 and families were out in force. We settled into a great bar and enjoyed a few beers. Got a few funny looks as we were the oldest in the place by about 30 years, but the beer and music were good and there was a lovely ambiance. On top of that we paid normal prices for the ale. On way back to the station we called in to a small off licence. Linda in her inimitable style asked how many languages the owner was able to speak. In conversation he said he was fluent in 6. He then went on to comment that he was going back to England on Thursday to see a relative in Manchester – not only in Manchester but yes to ROCHDALE land of my birth. A small world indeed!!!

9th Nov
Brent here. Got up late. Eventually got our act going and decided we wanted another day in Barcelona. Went to Cathedral to see the inside this time. Was like looking round a building site. Very weird indeed. Admittedly what could be seen was impressive but more than 80% was behind scaffolding. Museum provided better value by giving an account of the work in progress. Just had time to get to Park Guell. Arrived in late afternoon and walked to the high point in the park. Spectacular views of the city. Was massive – no wander we struggled to park. Went on to see the tiled area at entrance to park with the hansel and gretel style houses. Light was fading so we headed back with a brief stop in a library to check our account.
Got back to the village we were staying in. Found a small bar with lovely beer. Should have stayed longer but instead we went back to campsite and frequented the bar there. Linda had two tapas which she enjoyed but I thought were a touch on the expensive side.

10th Nov.
Moved on back into France. Headed for Carcassone. Arrived at about teatime both feeling exhausted. Had a meal in the old city. Was weird to see it at night – lots closed and a little strange with many dark corners. We headed back for a good sleep. Linda was developing a cold and definitely not her bubbly self :-(

11th Nov
Had an early look around the old city in daylight. Linda enduring me reading out from some notes as we toured. The cathedral was the highlight with some stunning stained glass. Set off on the road at about 12.00. One of the things about traveling and eating at the right times is that it is very difficult to do. Often when we are ready to stop most European cities are on their siesta. Was reassuring when we found a supermarket to stock up our provisiions at about 1.30pm. Driving the rest of the afternoon was a nightmare with lots of rain and surface water. Arrived at Cahor to stop for the night when it was just getting dark. Drove past a budget hotel as we had seen a Logis de France sign. Could we find it – noooo. Spent the next ¾ of an hour trying to retrace our route. Cahors seemed to be made up of millions of roundabouts. Oh well you live and learn or in my case dont. Eventually found a hotel in same chain as one in Carcassone.