Return home (September 11th 2019)

After a fast run by coach to Barcelona airport we caught an Easyjet flight back to Gatwick. It was delayed about 50 minutes leaving and we flew back over western France with good views. We picked up our luggage and were driven by Saga taxi home arriving about 5pm. The woman driver was not as good as the man going down to Gatwick.

Free Day (September 10th 2019)

Today was a free day. It rained! We dodged the showers and ate sandwiches in a café overlooking the sea in Roses.

Barcelona (September 9th 2019)

After a coach ride of about 2 hours (with a comfort stop) we arrived in Barcelona and walked to our boat. We had a 1.5 hour boat trip around the harbour, although there was no English commentary. The sea was rough.

In the afternoon we joined 4 others on the tube to the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's masterpiece started in the 1880s. Apparently there is still 30 years work still to do! When we last went in 2003 it was a dusty building site. Now it is a marvel bathed in colour via the stained glass windows. It looks finished.

Besalu and Lake Banyoles (September 8th 2019)

We went by coach to the old village (town?) of Besalu. Although hot, we had a great time once we had left the local guide who was boring and spoke poor English.

Afterwards we visited Lake Banyoles for an hour trip around the lake. By now it was a bit cloudy. The boat trip around the lake was sedate rather than great. Actually, it was rather a waste of time with nothing great to see.

Medieval Fair and Roses Expres (sic) (September 7th 2019)

Today, we had a free day. We caught a bus to Castille de Empores  and spent a few hours at a Medieval Fair. This was very good. We had crepes for lunch. As the bus stop was not where we thought, we had to go to a different stop and almost missed it.

At 3pm we went on the road train called "Roses Expres".This was a hairy ride up some steep mountain roads with big drops. At the top, the views were spectacular. Unexpectedly, we had wine and biscuits at the top overlooking sea in 2 directions.We got back safely after 2 hours.

Looking back, this was one of the best days. As on previous days, the weather was great.

Canal du Midi (September 6th 2019)

This was disappointing. After quite a long coach ride (nearly 2 hours) the boat was not there when we arrived. Instead of catering for our party (45) they only catered for 35. Not only that, but the ship's dining room was crowded with other visitors. Lunch was OK, but a scramble. On the upper deck, where we expected to be the only visitors (i.e. our Saga party) we had to find seats in the crowds, so we saw plenty of backs, but little else! For the first half, it had high banks and we would have seen more on Burwell Lode.

Overall, very disappointing.

Boat trip to Cadaques (September 5th 2019)

Arguably this was the best boat trip. It was from Roses to Cadaques which is an old village around the coast. The sea was rough and Lis had a bad fall whilst taking a photo. I was facing the other way so did not see it.

Hotel (September 4th 2019)

This is a 3 star hotel, but the food at breakfast and dinner is good. There is a very good buffet with free wine and water, but we feel rushed so the next party can use the tables.

Easyjet to Barcelona (September 4th 2019)

Flight was at a sensible time so we enjoy breakfast and flew from Gatwick North. We were delayed by about 15 minutes only.

First Day (September 3rd 2019)

As we were worried about the M11 and M25 traffic, we went the day before and stayed at the Premier Inn in Gatwick North. It was very good and we travelled down by Saga taxi. We were charged nothing. Was this a mistake?