30 April/1 May - Staying Local

Yesterday started with a bit of repair work from winter damage. Just waiting for a replacement to be provided by Juan our caretaker.

Then on our walk down the prom we saw something new to us. We usually see dogs in prams, carriers and backpacks, the odd cat and rabbit taken for walks, but a guinea pig being taken on the beach was a whole new sight for us! It'll be mico pigs and gerbils next 😂.

Our walk at the end of the prom in Roses was all sectioned off. Bulldozers and half the beach excavated.

The council has eventually got round to sorting out the constant niff by the Roses Express stop. 

The council have even resorted to drones to sort out the beach traders. Although from the number sorting out their blanket pitches on our walk today, I don't think it's very effective yet.

This morning was time for a bit of bike maintenance after their winterisation in the apartment. All tyres inflated and chains lubricated so we're all good to go for tomorrow's ride to Empuiabrava market.

On further inspection of the excavation today, we spotted remedial action to stop the palm tree tettering on the edge of the big hole, from falling in. We'll let you know if it falls in 😄.

29 April - Arrived in Spain

Clear skies and sunshine as we left St Flour on our final leg of the journey south. 

We had a pit stop after about an hour at services looking out to the medieval town of Château de Severac. We'll have to put this on our list of places to visit on future trips.

A pretty uneventful drive down to Roses. No wide loads to navigate on this leg.

Arrived and bags carted up to the apartment by 4.30pm. Then a mega shop to start us off for our stay, before dinner in the evening sunshine. Bliss!

28 April - Chartres and Saint Flour

After a filling early morning buffet breakfast we had a 30 minute drive to Chartres.

At 9am Chartres was empty. A visit to Chartres Notre Dame without hoards of tourists was lovely. I need more practice at selfies to avoid the double chin 🤣!

Just us and one man and his dog by the cathedral.

The stain glass windows were amazing - photo doesn't really show what they were like.

On our potter around the town we came across a honey shop with different honeys on tap. Makes a change to the usual barrels of wine and port.

A quiet sit down in the main square.

Meringues given with your coffee!

Then it was back on the road behind one of the many 'convoi exceptionelle' that we came across today. We were amazed what they allow down the country roads.

Weather was a bit overcast by the time we got to Saint Flour for our overnight stop. This is looking up to the old town.

This is looking down from the old town to where our hotel is - just left of the bridge.

Our old telephone boxes get everywhere!

Tomorrow we'll make the last stage of our trip, via the Milau bridge, to Roses. Hope to arrive mid afternoon.