31st October Halloween in Spain 🎃

A great day for a bike ride after heavy rain last night. The wind was howling and whistling around the balcony yesterday evening as well but luckily it calmed down by bed time.

Today we took the bikes on what was going to be a reverse circuit of what we did the other day. So we headed off in the direction of Empuriabrava along the cycle paths crossing the nature reserve. Our route then took us directly across town to stop off at the tourist information office to get a bottle to fit on the bike (it was the right size and the cheapest we'd managed to find over the past few days).

We had to wait for a while before getting into tourist information as there was a film crew in there interviewing someone. Hopefully we stayed out of the background shot.

Then we were heading up the path taking us alongside the River Muga to Castello d'Empuries. We were puzzling over the trees (see in photo) as some have been severely pruned and others appear to be left. Eventually we deduced that it was because they were different sorts so must be managed over the winter differently.

On reaching Castello d'Empuries we stopped for a rest, coffee and WiFi to update apps and things that we can't do on our own phone internet. Now all up to date.

We were planning on heading back along the road route we originally took a few days ago but we ended up taking another previously unused route by us. A bit of a magical mystery tour - it brought us out by the foot/cycle bridge that goes over the main road at Empuriabrava. A handy route to add to our expanding cycle path network. It was then past the airport, where the parachutists are still in action, and back across the nature reserve for lunch and an afternoon of reading and taking it easy.

Late afternoon we were then out again walking into Roses for a chestnut festival for the children. We didn't take the bikes as we don't have lights for them so it was a walk in.

Off the Roses high street there was a hive of activity with a stage set up for children's entertainment. We saw quite an energetic band, singing and doing all their actions (didn't recognise any of the tunes 😀) for the children to join in. There was also a roaring fire with a man patiently turning the handle of a barrel to roast the chestnuts and other goodies were on sale.

Children in all manner of Halloween costumes were then going into all the shops in the high street for sweets and treats. It seemed that if the shops displayed pumpkins or Halloween decorations that this was a sign to show that they had treats. It doesn't seem to be a knocking on people's doors sort of thing here in Roses. I suppose with people living in apartments with security access that it's not really feasible.

Anyway we were treated to an amazing multi red and orange sunset as we walked back. Unfortunately my camera didn't do it justice and we just enjoyed looking at it - you'll have to imagine it setting over the hills and mountains in the distance. I'm now looking forward to some good weather tomorrow.