Wednesday 13th October 2010 - Home

It was an early breakfast, and after handing the keys to Louis over the road in the flower shop, it was back over the frontier to Spain and Girona Airport. We met up with Margaret and Ron who were on their way to Glasgow after being delayed one day because of a French Air Traffic Control strike. Luckily we had escaped this inconvenience but our own flight to Newcastle was delayed 35 minutes - though this was the only problem on our way back. Picking up the car at the airport and we were back in Scotland for early evening.

After a brief stop in Gala, Dorothy headed on back to Carluke while I remained a lodger in the Borders.

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Tuesday 12th October 2010 - A Drive About

View From Les Catalanes

After breakfast and a wee walk about, we decided to go and get the car and drive along the coast to Argeles sur Mer. We needn't have bothered as Argeles had nothing much of interest to offer and we returned once more to Banyuls. We headed up to Hotel Les Catalanes where Dot and I had stayed and had some lovely meals before. Les Catalanes has the most lovely view in the whole of Banyuls. From the restaurant the whole bay is spread in a wonderful panorama before your eyes. Here are a couple photos from a previous visit to do the view justice.



View From Les Catalanes In The Early Moning Light





The food compliments this feast of the eyes. We had really lovely lunch whilst savouring the beautiful Mediterranean scenery. It was calmer than yesterday and Dot and I decided to walk back to the apartment by a rough track which contoured round the hillside before dropping down once more to the town itself.

After such a lunch it was time for an afternoon nap before getting ready for our early start tomorrow. Our last evening was a quiet affair. After a visit to our local it was an early night.

Monday 11th October 2010 - The Aftermath

It had been blowing a gale during the night and was still blowing when we got up and so, after breakfast, it was down to the beach to witness nature and the elements in full flow.

Beach Scene In The Abating The Storm



It was incredible. The street by the shore was covered by foam and brine being blown and washed up by the raging sea. Remarkably it was warm and dry and many locals and tourists alike were out and about to witness the spectacle.

Waves Crashing Into And Over the Arch Supports Of Boulevard Lassus

Vehicles Make Their Way Through The Brine On Avenue De La République



Cars were being hoisted from their parking places to allow the local authority services easier access in clearing up the damage caused by the storm. It seemed to be a losing battle! Beachside bar terraces were being secured and awnings were being wrapped up. People huddled in the bars to watch the scene with a coffee or beer for company. And this is what we decided to do as well whilst wtching the huge breakers pound over the sea wall and onto the road itself. The brine and foam was being blown about like huge snowflakes as workmen fought a losing battle to clear the street.

We decided to walk round the headland to Les Elmes and, after a stop in the Hotel Les Elmes, we caught the bus to Coulliere. Couliere is where all the Fauvists - Matisse and Derain - hung out. It is a lovely little town but it too was showing the effects of the storm.

Storm Debris Near Eglise Notre Dame Des Anges, Collioure

We went into a beachside restaurant for lunch and continued to watch as the wind and sea raged before our eyes. It was a lovely meal and we walked off its effects with a stroll round the town and its sights before catching the bus back to Banyuls and an afternoon nap.

Château Royal, Collioure



Dorothy Walking Along Rue Bellevue, Collioure

The evening was spent in the PMU Cafe where we had some drinks, played some cards and enjoyed some chat before reiring once more for bed.

Dorothy Shows Her Manual (Manuel??) Dexterity In Bar Les Platanes, Place Puig del Mas, Banyuls

Anne And Dorothy In Bar Les Platanes, Place Puig del Mas, Banyuls

Sunday10th October 2010 - Down To The Serious Business

After breakfast it was over the road to L'Eglise de St Jean Baptist and Mass. The Mass was formally to bless the harvest and the local dignitaries were out in force.

Banyuls Confraternity Entering Eglise St Jean-Baptiste



Banyuls Confraternity Approaching The Altar In Eglise St Jean-Baptiste

Banyuls Confraternity With Barrel Of Season's Wine Outside Eglise St Jean-Baptiste



Unfortunately the rain returned when Mass was over and we had to delay going to the market for some shopping for lunch. After buying the necessary, it was off  to L'Etoile for a wee degustation. There was a huge paella being prepared for what seemed an invitation only lunch. It looked and smelled lovely.

Paella Being Prepared At Banyuls Cave De L'Etoile

We made our way up the hill by a series of narrow steps until we reached the Salle Bartisol. It was here that the main event was taking place.

With John, May, Margaret, Dorothy, Ron And Anne Inside Salle Bartissol For Une Petite Degustation

Brass Band Inside Salle Bartissol

Painting Of A Sardana Celebrating The Vendange

While being entertained by some music, we had a further opportunity to try various wines of the Banyuls terroir. We also met up with some Scottish friends who have homes locally and spent some time chatting. Whilst we did so the rain came back on and by the sound of it, it was heavier than ever. No point in going out in that, so we continued our wee degustation whilst waiting for it to go off. Time passed and it seemed that there was to be no let up, and so it was a case of getting wet on the way back to the apartment.
Lunch was a leisurely affair before an evening nap was followed by another nap and bed for the night.

Saturday 9th October 2010 - The Fete De Vendange Begins

After breakfast it was a walk about the town before heading back to move the car from its parking spot in the Place du Marche. The market was on tomorrow (Sunday) and it was either move it or it would be towed away. We found a place on Avenue General de Gaulle and then set off for the Carrefour Supermarche and the purchase of some sleeping bag liners and towels. There had been a mix up with the hire of bedlinen and towels with Joelle and so we had to go and buy some for our stay.

The walk back to town was to be spoiled by heavy rain and we had to dry ourselves before heading out once more.

By this time the Vendange was in swing and the first stop was Banyuls L'Etoile and a chance for a wee degustation of the local produce.




Cheers!

Getting the raw ingredients ready.

A walk through the streets followed and a chance to enjoy the entertainers who were already in full swing.

Musical entertainment outside the Mairie.

The party was enjoyed by many, it was just a pity that the weather wasn't to add to the occasion.

Ompah! Ompah!

We met some friends from Scotland who had moved to the town and they invited to see around their new property. They were still very much at the stage of decorating their new home but it will be lovely when it is finished.

 

Gie it laldy pal!

It was time now for a wee relaxing drink down by the sea, and windy though the day was it was pleasantly warm on the terrace of a beach side bar. We spent our time idly people watching and being entertained by the various street musicians passing by.

Brass Band On Rue St Pierre



Our evening meal was a chance to relax and also to shelter from heavy rain which was forecast for to last until the next day at least!!! Oh well, a lovely time was had by all and was finished off by an ice cream cone and then a wee glass of wine in a local bar before retiring for the night.

Friday 8th October 2010 - Off Tae The Seaside

It was a lunch time start from Galashiels and the short hop across the border to Newcastle Airport - our departure point for Girona in Spain.

All things went very smoothly. Apart from having to wait for about 40 minutes for a meal airside; we cancelled it, as we were too close to our flight being called, and settled for a sandwich carried on to the aircraft itself.



The flight to Girona, picking up the hire car and the journey to Banyuls was incident free, and after being met by the owner Joelle at the apartment, being given the keys and unpacking, we wnet out for a meal in La Vieux Cave. An Italian meal was our introduction to French Catalonia but thoroughly enjoyed never the less.



Gaun Yersel Son!



"Appellation Origine Celta" proved to be the entertainment in the square and their music had a suitable Scots twist with a guest piper providing back up. The weather was turning wet and so we decided to call it quits.



Appelation Origine Celta.

It was a travel weary bunch who retired for the night.