Today was a good walking day.We left about 10.30am as a reward for our long day yesterday.Breakfast in Spain is later too.Nothing much happens before 9.00 am.
We set out to see the rice fields.Apparently this region is famous for rice growing but as yet we are unconvinced that we have actually seen any rice growing.The region is so dry it is hard to believe rice would grow at this time of the year.
We did see lots of harvesting of grain,corn and apples as we walked across country.Pretty small scale farming compared to NZ but more sophisticated than the farms we saw in Poland with step and wooden trailers,horse drawn of course.
It has been our best day as we walked through several historic villages and stopped for coffee in one that took our fancy.
The weather was warm and cloudy so nice for walking because there was quite a breeze as we came into open fields.Lots of cyclists in this area but no walkers that we have seen yet.
We only had one small climb today so bonus day!The view from the lookout was worth it though as we looked back to the 'frigging castle' as Brad termed it.It dominates the landscape of the whole surrounding area.We could see out to the coastline and the blue of the Mediterranean Sea and lots of small villages dotted the plain below us.
The old Spanish villages are pretty work man like around here.You get the sense that life is unchanged for generations.
We followed the GR 92 trail from Torroella del Montgri to Pals where we stay tonight.It took us about four hours walking today which was civilized.
Still pleased to arrive and get the boots off.A hot bath and a soak helped old bones to recover before heading out to explore the old town.We did say we would not climb another metre that we did not have to but the old town beckoned and it was well worth the visit.Quite an historic place dating back to the 12th Century.Lots of tourists here and plenty of tat but the old town was very authentic and interesting to poke around in before dinner.
There is a storm expected tonight and it was spitting lightly as we window shopped in the town and again during dinner in the courtyard it was slightly damp.
We ate in a local cheerful cafe with lots of locals and their families.Cheap and cheerful I would describe it.Just like home where the blokes were sitting around the TV cheering on their local team over a glass or two of some thing. ....Here the whole family is out dining late.
I had a lovely salad full of goodies and a Catalan sausage with fried potatoes for my meal. We had planned a crepe but no room left.Next time.
It has been so nice to have time to read and relax after our walk but still with time to explore the town of Pals.Our initial impression was not positive as it was pretty dowdy but once we found the old part of town we changed our minds.It is another interesting place to visit.
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