17th July
An early start from the campsite to try and avoid the worst of the heat. Mostly successful but when I arrived at La Jonquera there was no shade and a temperature of 33°
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| A switchback in the road from the campsite |
The walk started around the road to Maçanet de Cabrenys, very quiet. I went through the town thinking of coffee but nothing was moving.
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| Maçanet de Cabrenys |
Up through the trees again, this time with the difference that they were mainly cork trees. All the bigger trees had the bark stripped, it seems that the height the bark is stripped depends on the diameter.
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| Cork trees showing signs of harvesting |
They can be stripped every nine years without harming the tree.
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| Looking back over the tree covered hills |
Went past an interesting looking building that turned out to have been built over the Canta mine that was used for gold and silver storage during the Spanish civil war.
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| Canta mine building |
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| Information board |
It seemed to be a long climb to La Vajol but it was only about 400 meters, luckily the restaurant was open for coffee and croissants.
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| Welcome restaurant |
La Vajol seems to have been an important place for the republicans during the Civil war and there are a number of monuments.
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| Memorial plaque |
The route then climbs past Santa Eugenia, one of many, sometimes ruined, chapels in the hills.
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| Santa Eugenia |
A long descent to La Jonquera then, past some recently stripped cork, under the railway and motorway to arrive in the town and dive into the first bar/restaurant I saw.
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| Cork harvest |
The temperature was brutal but I got to the hotel and straight under the shower, that helped!
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| La Jonquera the other side of the motorway |
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| La Jonquera |
6 comments:
From my books on the Spanish Civil War, Jonquera was a major route to France for the retreating Republicans in 1939. Not that they were welcomed with open arms by the French Government. Andy
Well done, nearly there!
Shortly to wallow in the Med. Nice treat! J
It's not normal sea temperature!
If the heat doesn't finish me off first
Nope but might be a bit of relief from land temps.
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