Pyrenees HRP - 2004 - Day 56 - Epilogue 2

 

Sue and Martin's Big Adventure

 

Day 56 - Sunday 19 September 2004 - Epilogue 2

Banyuls-sur-Mer to Ille-sur-Têt

 

Diary Entry (by Sue)

Another beautiful morning but more breezy - luckily the tent remained standing! Paid our dues and left the campsite at about 8.45 am. Headed north, in leisurely fashion. Lots of cyclists out early.  

First stop, west of Elne, was Thuir (pictured above and below). This delightful village was open to an extent, and we indulged in pain au chocolat, coffees, and a wander round. We admired the work of an 'Artisan Patissier' in one window.

 

 

 

Then, a few km west, we climbed a dirt road to Corbere de Dalt, with a castle and church perched in beautiful trees above Corbere. The church had a huge gold-leaf covered frieze at the front and sold cherry jam at the back! Its back step made an ideal location to sit and diary write, with the world at our feet once more.

 

 

 

 

Had lunch there too, moving into the shade with a view of the afternoon's destination, Ille-sur-Têt. A brew went down well with bread, pâté de campagne and tomatoes, and an excellent nectarine. Shortly after, a rather eccentric lady readily booked us into the nicer than Banyuls 'Camping Municipal' in Ille-sur-Têt. Here, the pegs go in, and it is quiet.

 

On foot, we went through the sleepy town, with narrow streets, and to 'Site des Orgues', the other side of the river. This is a tiny version of Bryce Canyon, with pinnacles of sand topped with a bouldery layer. Not spectacular, but pleasant.

 

 

 

 

Returned to town and visited l'Eglise St Etienne, a huge and extremely silent church, with twelve side chapels.

 

 

Its tower and external facia can be best seen from a distance due to the proximity to other buildings. Had a beer under plane trees in a quiet square before returning to the tent at about 6 pm.

 

It made a nice change to cook and have dinner outside - asparagus soup and three cheese spaghetti with tuna. We even had the luxury of using the table and chairs outside an unused chalet opposite our pitch.

 

Still warm, despite cloud, after 7 pm. After dinner, I read a bit more of 'Fresh Air Fiend' (Paul Theroux) in the comfy car seat, drinking mint tea until the light went.

 

Martin relaxed in the tent, watching the bats.

 

Went to sleep when it got dark.

 

Here's the Epilogue area, covering the final four days of the trip

 

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