Monthly Archives: November 2017

Spain

Cunit on the Costa Dorada

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Tuesday 7th November 2017

A lovely day, so we decided to take a drive down to one of the local beaches nearest to our campsite, Cunit on the Costa Dorada.

The short drive took us to the coastal town in the province of Tarragona.

Our approach in didn’t offer many views of the town itself, only the local train station. (Handy if you want to make the trip into Barcelona).

We parked up opposite the seafront, where a number of motorhomes were also enjoying the benefit of a camping aire.

The area was somewhat scruffy; uneven, dry and dusty earth, but excellent for easy access to the beach.

We headed towards the wide promenade and the sea. The waters were calm and the sandy beach looked so inviting. The place seemed deserted, which was just how we liked it 🙂

Cunit Promenade

The beach was clean and a pleasure to walk along. It is separated by seven stone breakwaters along its’ length, four in the form of islands. These were apparently added in 1980’s due to beach erosion.

Cunit Beach
Breaking Waves

It’s 2.5 km length meant plenty of space for the many tourists who must flock here in the height of the season.

The promenade was lined with palm trees and plenty of seating. Along it’s length were a variety of residential dwellings, holiday apartments, shops and restaurants.

Puerto Segur de Calafell

Our walk continued up to the sea port Puerto Segur de Calafell, a modern looking marina.

After a quick nose around the boats we paused for dos cervezas in one of the open restaurant/cafes and sat outside to enjoy the sun.

Marina

Refreshed we began our walk back to the car. We will be back though to investigate how far the promenade goes.

France

Our last day in Languedoc-Roussillon (Occitanie)

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Sunday 5th November 2017

The weather was definitely beginning to show signs of change and the swallows around us too were becoming restless.

The daylight hours had got shorter and the temperature was beginning to fall, rather more rapidly than we had hoped.

Time to move on and follow that late summer warmth further south.

Having made the decision to head towards Spain, we decided to take a last trip out in the car to visit a few of the surrounding villages of Languedoc-Roussillon.

One of the places was a small village on the Canal du Midi, Le Somail.

We would have loved to cycle there, but 27 kms and an estimated 1hr 17 mins there and the same back, didn’t sound quite so appealing 🙂

Our drive from the campsite took us along the main D11/D5 road; one which had become very familiar to us and was a delight to use.

Avenues

What made the road lovely were avenues of old plane trees as well as an abundance of vines, in a variety of autumnal hues.

Vineyards on D5 near Capstang

Taking the D607 south after the village of Cabezac, led us to Le Somail. What a charming sight it was.

View through the archway in the bridge.

Once parked up we walked towards the stone bridge and the old chapel. It was just as the tourist information had described. Picture postcard!

Le Somail Stone Bridge

As we walked over the bridge we paused to read a plaque about Thomas Jefferson and his links with France.

Le Somail Bridge

We imagined that during the summer season this little port would be a vibrant hive of activity. There were several restaurants and boat hire companies along the cobbled banks, as well as a delightful hotel, closed for the season, overlooking the canal. (Other hotels are available).

Luckily for us, we were able to enjoy the serenity and peacefulness of this little port, almost entirely on our own!

Bookshop

Another major attraction is a world renowned antique bookshop , Le Trouvre tout du livre located in Le Somail. Well worth a visit when open 🙂

Back in the car we retraced our journey back as far as Capestang. Then turning south we headed towards Poilhes. 

Poilhes Bridge

Poilhes is in the HĂ©rault department in the Occitanie region.

Next we drove back towards Colombiers to enjoy the views from the hill of  EnsĂ©rune, of  L’Étang  de Montady.

Étang de Montady

On our Google Maps we could quite clearly make out a pattern resembling rays of sun but containing water.

It is described as a masterpiece of hydro-agricultural engineering designed in the Middle Ages. Quite spectacular 🙂

Finally we took the opportunity to walk down to the Malpas Tunnel.

It was excavated in 1679 under the hill d’EnsĂ©rune, allowing the passage of the Canal du Midi. It is 165 kms long and Europe’s first navigable canal tunnel.

Malpas Tunnel

Situated on the south side of the canal is L’Office de Tourisme de La Domitienne La Maison du Malpas. Well worth a visit if time allows.

Malpas Tunnel

Happy memories of our time spent in Colombiers.

France

City of Carcassonne

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Thursday 2nd November 2017

On our list of places to visit had always been Carcassonne. Yet again another UNESCO World Heritage site. We had read that it had taken over 1000 years to complete!

In 1849 the city of Carcassonne was nearly demolished.  It was struck off the roster of official fortifications under Napoleon and the Restoration. This caused such uproar from the local citizens that a campaign was organised to to preserve it. The architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was commissioned to renovate the entire city.

We parked close to the city walls in what turned out to be a very expensive car park! So be warned, check out the prices before you make your decision.

We followed the signs for the citadel, known as La CitĂ©, but our target was not hard to spot. It stands proud on the top a hill and it’s sheer scale is absolutely immense!

Carcassonne

Our walk up to the city walls was a steep one and the closer we got to the outer walls, the more gargantuan this medieval fortress appeared.

Carcassonne Lists, the area between Inner & Outer Walls

We entered Carcassonne on the west side but there are better ways to make the most of your visit. (We wish we had read the website above in hindsight).

Climbing Toward The Ramparts

Carcassonne is apparently the 2nd most popular visitor attraction in France, after the Eiffel Tower and that soon became very apparent as we made our way around the citadel. (Heaven knows what the place must be like in the height of the tourist season!!!!)

City of Carcassonne Walkway
The Château Comptal

Unfortunately our view  and enjoyment of the amazing architecture within the city was masked by the vast amount of restaurants, peddling cassoulet, a local dish, and tacky tourist shops selling anything and everything!

Attractive Climbing Plant

We were surprised to find out that there are many permanent residences as well as a few hotels within the walls.

Can’t beat a Best Western

We both concurred that this resembled a ‘Petworth meets Disneyworld’. Such a disappointment. Even our efforts to join the lengthy queue to visit the Château and ramparts were thwarted. We gave up and walked away before we lost the will to live.

Feeling a little deflated we headed off to the Pont Vieux  over the River Aude and crossed over to the modern city. From the top of the bridge we were able to admire the citadel in peace and quiet from a distance.

A gentle walk along the river and back over a smaller bridge led to the car park and home.

We would re-visit given the chance. Out of season, if there is one, and taking in the ramparts and the ‘Lists‘ the gap between the two sets of walls.

France

Fonsérannes Locks on the Canal du Midi

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Wednesday 1st November 2017

Today, as we discovered, was Las Toussaints or All Saint’s Day. It is a public holiday across France. We decided to visit Beziers and the FonsĂ©rannes Locks on the Canal du Midi.

During our travels we had been aware of many shops and florists displaying large potted chrysanthemums in their windows and on the pavements . Now we know why.

Chrysanthemums are the traditional flowers placed on the graves of loved ones, during this time of remembrance.

Cemetery in Colombiers.

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