ESPAÑA!

When last we crossed from France to Spain in 2006 we spent most of our day walking our heavily loaded bicycles up the Pyranees only to reach the top at the end of the day as the wind started to whip and the rain started to fall...Crossing from Perpignan to Spain this time was wonderful! A short climb through the Pyranees Orientals in the sunshine and we found ourselves looking at the Spanish border. We stopped, had one last French sandwhich, and crossed.

Spain met us with warm sunshine, a long downhill, and a number of prostitutes lining the highway as we coasted down from our Pyranean adventure! But as it goes, soon we found ourselves riding against a strong head wind that slowed us down considerably and once again pushing ourselves over hills under a strong sun, the dry heat forced us to make an effort of strong will in order to continue riding. The prostitues appeared to be cheering for us as we made it to the top of each hill, most likely they were just soliciting another weary traveller, and we did not stop to find out! Arriving in Figueres we stopped for a rest at the Dali Museum, the place of his birth, and had a great time exploring Dali´s earliest works and those towards the end of his life in 1989. From Figueres we went to Gerona.

Gerona is a large city with many cobble stone alley ways lined with shops. We found oursevles without much assistance as it was the middle of Siesta. After a cold beer and some tapas we began to seach for a place to stay for the night, no campsites once again, and for the first time since the journey began we were LOST. not until after 10 pm did we finally find a hotel room for the night which we gratefully accepted and went to bed.

Gerona to just outside Barcelona was around 65 miles of solid riding and today we will explore the city of Barcelona and take a much needed day of rest.