"This was a day for survival, not enjoyment",said Brad after we had been revived with a very lovely meal at our hotel restaurant.A couple of firsts for me,cuttlefish fish and fried artichokes plus the most delectable Creme Brule. It is a signature dish here and tonight it was delicious.Now about 10.30 so you eat late here but we are knackered as we have walked nine and a half hours.The notes indicated six so we were well outside the time but we encountered some very challenging terrain during the day.
The walk started around the bays and the port and across a headland to another bay or two,all good and it was a beautiful morning so enjoying ourselves at this stage.
We came into a lovely bay at Cal Montgo, perfect for holiday needs but from here it went down hill or up really.We climbed around a headland to a Capella with fortifications which took us ages as it was steep,not so well marked and rocky.You had to watch every step you took and it went up and down.Sometimes you were uncomfortably close to the cliff and the thought of a tumble down there made you extra cautious.We met quite a few people on this section walking their dogs and going for a swim in one of the pretty beaches.
We finally got to the top of the headland at Punta de Mila which was the site of coastal defences during the war with a great view out across the Mediterranean.
Then we walked and walked.Across a red stony road which seemed to go for miles and miles across the Natural Park so lots of stunted pines,herbs like rosemary growing wild and some little white orchids lined the road.This was hard on your feet this stretch.We eventually stopped for lunch under a tree.
At this point we were running an hour behind time so not too bothered.
We continued along a forestry area which was easier and skirted a small village called Torre Vella which seemed not too far from our destination on our map.The notes did not indicate what was to come next.
We were confronted by a mountain ahead of us which we thought sounded on our notes like we went across a pass.Well the pass was up and over the top!!All 474 mtres and steep,straight up it went.I thought I was seeing things.Anyway up we went and survived that only to find the track led downhill on a rocky slippery path and then up to an abandoned castle some 330 meters above the crossing.This was like a goat track and just a scramble. No fun in this stretch.Thank goodness for our two walking sticks.They have been a god send this trip,both here and in the Tatras.
The castle was not even worth it.It had been there since the thirteenth century but never finished,a shell really but it was obviously a challenge for locals to climb before tea as we met so many people climbing up on the village side as we came down.It was a good place to fly their flag as well but as it was windy there was much flapping and entanglement.It had been pretty hot until this part of the trek but then a wind was helpful as I lost a lot of sweat coming up the pass so cooled down a lot for the downhill stretch.
The track was zig zagging on this side but tricky coming down as it was slippery and lots of rocks.Brad had a tumble but survived.
We eventually arrived at our hotel in Torroella De Montgri at seven o'clock. Nine and a half hours after setting out.We were exhausted and took awhile to recover our spirits but a hot bath and a good meal have helped so now all is needed is a good night's sleep......
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