Escape from Spain to France 25th July (eventually)

25th July

The day started well, but hot. I had a good breakfast, packed up and spent some time in the hostel garden talking to a German guy who was doing the Dalí tour. Then it was the short walk to the station.

I thought I would get ahead of myself by taking an earlier train but then got stuck in Portbou as the train I had planned to take was cancelled.

Portbou station with stationary trains

An alternative plan was then scuppered as all trains had stopped moving but we were told that there would be a train to Cervera in France at 12.00. it did appear at about 12.20 and took me across the border to France.

Walkway under the station at Cervera

The train I had planned to take was of course gone and I had to wait until 14.20 for the next one.

Cervera, another place l don't want to be.

Wandered down into the town, another little beach/harbour 'resort' crowded with tourists, why?

Perpignan station 

Nice empty train when it started but by the time it reached Narbonne it was packed. Managed to nip on to the next train as soon as it pulled in, empty. It didn't stay that way for long and by the time it pulled out it needed some Japanese train pushers!

Perpignan 

I don't want to go to the Mediterranean again,  except perhaps the bit at the end of the Pyrenees, but definitely never in the summer. I can't see anything attractive about the coastal areas I've seen.

Sunflowers

After passing Carcassonne the landscape started to look more like East Anglia with more hedges and trees. The yellow crops were sunflowers though not oilseed rape.

Arrived into the busy centre of Toulouse for a short walk to a cheap hotel. Small room with it's own bathroom, air conditioning and interesting wall art, all for very little more than a Hostel would.

Cheap hotel 

It is a typical busy city and I was a bit overwhelmed after the last couple of months  but managed to find a good restaurant with a suitable name for dinner.

Dinner

A tough day, I think it's easier walking.