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.