We
bravely set out from Barcelona in our hire car. Well, R was brave as
he was the one that had to remember to change gears with the right hand,
drive on the wrong
side of the road, navigate the very narrowed-laned streets and listen to me
screech panicked directions. But we made it and slowly headed
north-west into the countryside. We were heading for the Collsacabra
mountains about 80 kms away.
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| The town of Vic |
However
our first stop was the charming town of Vic. The medieval town has a
large town square with a weekly market. Unfortunately we missed it and
arrived as they
were cleaning up. We managed to find a charming café for lunch and
wondered around before continuing our trip. We had intended to stock up
on food as our accommodation was self-catering but everything was closed
for siesta. Ah sure (to be said with an Irish accent), we said, we'll find somewhere closer to L'Avenc to stock up....
From
Vic we started heading for the mountains, and as we continued the
weather grew worse. Dark threatening clouds loomed and the temperature
dropped. The roads
steadily grew narrower and the pot holes larger. The towns were all closed up and deserted. The last few
kilometres were on a one-laned dirt road. Just when we were beginning
to worry there it was: L’Avenc de Tavertet.
I first found out about L'Avenc when I picked up 'A Castle in Spain' in the Library. I'd never heard of Matthew Parris but when I took the book home R recognised the name. He's a fairly well known journalist over in England.
It's a great book about his family's (very) long journey to restore this 13th century house in a truly breathtaking setting.
We arrived mid-week and for most of our stay we were the only ones there. We had bracing walks each morning before our breakfast and then recovered in the huge indoor heated pool.
Our first walk was up the hill behind the house and out to a rocky ledge with sweeping views down the cloud filled valley. It was gorgeous to watch the clouds slowly disappear as the sun got hotter.
The next morning was an easier and less muddy tramp through the cliffside fields full of wildflowers.
We also did a short drive to the town of Rupit for lunch. The old town has been wonderfully preserved partly due to it's inaccessibility -it's a long way from anywhere. Apparently on the weekends its full of Barcelonians getting away for the weekend and enjoying its delicious restaurants. As it was a weekday we had the place pretty much to ourselves.
I first found out about L'Avenc when I picked up 'A Castle in Spain' in the Library. I'd never heard of Matthew Parris but when I took the book home R recognised the name. He's a fairly well known journalist over in England.
It's a great book about his family's (very) long journey to restore this 13th century house in a truly breathtaking setting.
We arrived mid-week and for most of our stay we were the only ones there. We had bracing walks each morning before our breakfast and then recovered in the huge indoor heated pool.
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| No they haven't been sucking on lemons, the strange faces are due to an extremely strong and cold wind |
The next morning was an easier and less muddy tramp through the cliffside fields full of wildflowers.
We also did a short drive to the town of Rupit for lunch. The old town has been wonderfully preserved partly due to it's inaccessibility -it's a long way from anywhere. Apparently on the weekends its full of Barcelonians getting away for the weekend and enjoying its delicious restaurants. As it was a weekday we had the place pretty much to ourselves.
So, if you're ever in Barcelona and want to see a bit of the countryside you really couldn't find a more beautiful and breathtaking place than L'Avenc de Tavertet. Just go.
Yes, what you're looking at in those pictures from L'Avenc is a LAKE OF CLOUDS. Quite a memorable sight.
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