SEPTEMBER 2022 : SPAIN : Poblet to Rojals : 12km - 7 hours

Breakfast on the terrace.

The Cadet family have run this hotel for four generations

Bags transferred

First port of call the Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria de Poblet built in 1151, surrounded by grape vines.

Today’s walk - Poblet to Rojals - 12kms

I was delighted/relieved when Mark said he’d come with me, despite his knees still lacking mobility. We had the GPX program to support us but there were a few awkward moments of deciding which path and direction.

Much of the path was shaded in the morning. Mixed track with lots of rocky scree sections.

Mark found the walk very challenging - sensitive knees, 30 degree heat and lack of fitness (his admission)

For me, it was what I expected and it was a pleasant day’s walk.

A bit of colour



Some fascinating industries in the forest

This is an old  ice storage man-made cave

Water storage, charcoal production

Forestry building in Catalan Modernism style

Major success today was discovering a minor path that led to La Pena Mirador (lookout)



Excellent view of the Abbey

In the afternoon walking towards Rojas we were impressed with the views of the mountains



First view of Rojas - still a long rocky climb



Then, relieved to have arrived at our destination. Mark struggling with the heat towards the end. We realised that our Casa Rural was another half an hour down a dusty road.

But what a Casa Rural! We have cancelled our walk tomorrow and will luxuriate here. More photos to follow. 

M&M

SEPTEMBER 2022 : SPAIN : Barcelona - Poblet

Coffee on our little balcony watching the city wake up. A busy Monday morning.

Lovely walk and breakfast in the cool of the morning. Such a great place to stay - modest but so central.



A block from our hostal is Casa Mila, a grand apartment design for a wealthy family at the beginning of the 20th century. The roof space had spectacular views of the city.



Taxi to the railway station, relatively close to L’Eixample. Mark is still struggling with his knee - but wonder of wonders he found a lightweight travel bag WITH WHEELS in a travel store at the station entrance. Yeah! So farewell to his heavy sixteen year old backpack. Welcome to the 90s, Mr Banks! Things are looking up!

Two hour train ride to Sants to L’Espluga De Francoli. Taxi (included) to Poblet.

This is the start of the El Priorat walk devised by an English company, On Foot.

A self-guided walk with accommodation, meals and baggage transfers.

Accommodation is a hotel restaurant 

Masia de Cadet

A leafy hotel in a little enclave near the Monastery of Santa Maria of Poblet.

Our room overlooking the wineries and olive groves of El Priorat area. Looking quite dry after a long hot summer.

What a lovely start to the next 8 days.

Now we wait for a drink and tapas at 8.30 and dinner at 9pm. Adapting to Spanish time..

A perfect evening



M&M

SEPTEMBER 2022 : SPAIN : Barcelona

 

We are staying in the L’Eixample district. It is known for being the high end shopping district. There are some exciting architectural gems. This is the foyer of our building - once a grand old home apartments but now it houses  hostals and small businesses.

Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Gucci stores lining the street below our building. Lines of shoppers wait for their time to enter the stores in restricted numbers in the afternoons.

First breakfast at a local cafe

To rest Mark’s knee for another day we decided on a red bus city tour. We feel we have had a very good introduction to most of the neighbourhoods, architecture, artists, 1992 Olympics, dining areas, city views from hill district like Montjuic and the port and busy beaches. In 2009 we explored many of the 

Gaudí sights and as we have another week here before we return home we felt this was a perfect scenario. In fact, Mark is feeling much more mobile already.

Lunch near the port at a cafe on La Rambla.

We joined the Sunday crowds walking up La Rambla heading directly to our hostal. Lovely finding the plazas in the old town, full of activity with families gathering at the old white table-clothed restaurants.



Meanwhile I’m finding every opportunity to speak, listen and read in Spanish..

M&M

SEPTEMBER 2022 : SPAIN : Barcelona

After months of planning and angst about travelling in a COVID world, the time has arrived. 8 weeks in Spain and France with a mixture of travel and organised walks.

We flew on fully-booked Qatar flights. Excellent service and only a two hour transit stop in Doha.

Despite good flights, the first leg of 13 hours was too much for Mark’s knee, which seized up  and he was unable to walk. So we availed ourselves of a wheelchair and electric cart in Doha.

Qatar forwarded Mark’s info to Barcelona staff and we had the full welcome service - a mobile lift from the plane, transport to the terminal, a wonderful young girl with wheel chair who whizzed us through passport control, baggage collection and to the top of the long taxi queue.



Our small hostel is very central, clean, has a lift (thank heavens!) and a balcony onto the views of the Gran Vía and activity below. There is selection of restaurants immediately downstairs.

Not such an auspicious start to a walking holiday but we have contingency plans.



  

Across the road a classic Gaudí creation. Casa Batlló.

So happy to have arrived. Barcelona is thriving. Weather is divine. We will see how the holiday unfolds.

Tapas for dinner at a Basque Bar

M&M

AUGUST 2022 : QUEENSLAND : Scenic Rim Walk : Day 5

Breakfast in Beaudesert - an hour’s scenic drive east of Mt Barney



Our walk today was in the Lamington National Park, beginning at the Binna Burra Lodge

A 5km walk in pristine bush with some ancient pines, connected to Gondwanaland 



Final group photo in a beautiful rocky clearing on the Tullawallal Track



Lunch at the Binna Burra tea house with a very attentive butcher bird  - views east.



Return trip to Surfers Paradise and flight home.

Great trip, highly recommended.

M