26 October Key to the Door

Well the forecast panned out pretty accurately today. But we still managed to get to Empuiabrava market!

Today we saw the influx of Christmas goodies. Table clothes were the highlight this week amongst the sparkly jumpers and garish cardigans.

We had to take refuge from the rain in a cafe but even then we had to keep our raincoats on!!

On our way back we were driving right by a geocache so it seemed like a good idea to brave the rain to find it. Luckily it was an easy find so we didn't get too wet.

We returned to the apartment for lunch and a reprieve from the rain. Then it started to clear so Paul suggested going somewhere on route to Girona.

Ian and I on our travels to Girona airport have spotted a town on a hill with a large church so have often said we'd like to visit it. However we're not really sure where it is!!

Anyway by looking on maps we thought it was St Miquel de Fluvia. The GPS was set and we made our way there to find out it's not the place we'd been trying to get to! But never mind we had an interesting time there.

The monastery of St Miquel was closed as expected so we were prepared to have a look at it, have a wander round and then continue our journey to Girona. 

No chance!!! We were just looking at a notice board giving information about the monastery when we were approached by a very happy chappy, chatting away in Catalan. However, after my 34 days using Duolingo to improve my Spanish I managed to work out that he was the man with the key and he would be very pleased to open up and show us around.

We were then given a personal guided tour of the church/Monastery, up the stairs, shown in closed off rooms where we weren't allowed to take photographs (there were ancient relics, Napoleonic baths, 10th century mini pianos, a WW1 German helmet and lots of other odds and ends). 

He proudly gave us a history of everything - lots of Roman and original pieces from 1st and 2nd centuries and even the original key to the copper plated entry door.

Then we were taken down the road to be shown the only example of a Roman ceramic kiln, where pottery was made, in the whole of Spain. I must say it was all very impressive and we were lucky to have come across our enthusiastic local guide who had the key!

Fortunately another couple turned up to be entertained by his tour so we could explore outside. I was starting to worry that we might miss the flight at one point as I wasn't sure how far or how long his impromptu tour was going to take.

We had a couple of hours before the Girona airport drop off time so we went into the city for dinner. It was a bit busy as they had a circus pitched up in the car park we usually go to and a fun fair in the main park. Then whilst sitting in the square for dinner fireworks were banging and whizzing as it was part of a festival. It made it a lovely last evening in Spain for Paul and Kate.

I managed to get them and Ian, who's returning to the UK for a week's sailing, to the airport on time before a rainy drive back. Now I'm making beds and doing a bit of knitting, Duolingo and a catch up on reading before bed.

With an hour extra in bed tonight, with the clocks going back, it'll be odd getting up with light. It's been quite dark recently until about 8am.