Hi,

We stayed in Pals for the week, watching the camp-site slowly emptying, talking to the friendly Dutch campers who said the weekend rush was over and everywhere was now quieter than previous years in Spain (it appears the south of France and the overflow in northern Spain are the only packed areas) . On Tuesday 11/08/09 we set off 50 miles further south to Pineda de Mar, a small beach resort with a train station to Barcelona, another huge empty beach with spotless promenades and cycle paths. The camp-site is small but with good facilities, but noisy ! the 1st night the local Tom Jones was giving it large in Pepe's bar around the corner, booming out for miles and hours.

Wednesday we took the train to Barcelona, a scenic 30 mile ride along the coastal railway, Our train stopped early due to works at a station called El Cot (easy to remember), We walked down Las ramblas watching the street artistes,( there are bird sellers everywhere), to the port area, next was Christopher Columbus column for what the guide book says is great views of the city?, and then on to the open top bus ride were you get on and off where you fancy (good value), Oonagh fell in love with Barcelona, the shops, cleanliness and especially the Gothic church of La Sagrada familla which is spectacular even though no one knows when it will be finished., even the football stadium.

Back at Pineda de Mar we found lots of Brits had arrived, one old chap even had the hankie on his head, lily white legs, a Wolverhampton footie shirt and black socks with sandals. That night they got dressed up in their new England football tops to watch the international match on TV in the English bars (doesn't it make you proud ?) At the camp-site we had the Spanish disco, about 60 (all sober) men and women doing a form of synchronized dancing (long live the birdie song) that went on to all hours. Welcome to Costa Brave, and Dales caught a cold (flu ?)

By Friday and after another noisy night (people getting coaches to the airport at 4am, from the other side of the camp-site hedge). we decided, were off. L'Hospitalet de L'Infant our next destination 120 miles further south along the coastal road, A very clean town, with several beaches, the camp-site is on the edge of town, its so quiet, half empty, mainly Spanish and again the Dutch, who are very friendly, a great beach just over the cliffs, the sea is now like luke warm bath water, we've booked in for 5 nights. then travelled further south for 2 nights in Valencia just as the grand Prix hit town, everywhere is busy with racing enthusiasts, we saw the holy grail in the cathedral which although small is impressive, Valencia town is very nice, but were we stayed just outside was a bit shabby, we preferred Barcelona.

Scrabble score 60-48

Oonagh's got the cold now, yes sharing is good

Adios the Chaffers