August 26 Mataro Spain

Caught the train to Blanes. It is such an amazing ride. The train follows the coast line most of the way. The beaches and water are great!

Once at Blanes, walked out the train station door to the bus to Lloret de Mar. The traffic on the road was something cars lined up for miles. Never stopped but was really slow! In lloret bus station they have an information booth. Very

Convenient. And the station is only about 3 blocks from the beach.

I headed off to the Castella de Sant Joan on the top of a cliff. Path started off very nice, concrete and rocks for steps, then part of the path was gone, washed away, but that was the wrong way. Found the right way I thought but then the steps just stopped and had to scramble up the rocks.

Ended up in a nice park overlooking the Med. Found the castella (castle). Got the seniors rate! I am not old enough yet but was not going to argue! Not much left of the ruins. Some walls and a cistern, and the tower which had been rebuilt. The view from the top was very great.
Headed down and stopped at a view point and had a sandwich. Great place.

Headed off to the beach. Oh it is such a good thing we are not staying here! The beach as wall to wall towels! You had to weave your way to a spot, if you could find one. The sand was fairly coarse.

Great place if you are 20 something.....about 5 nightclubs in a 3 block span, booze cruises, banana boats and huge bars on the beach. Much to crowded for me!


August 25 Mataro Spain

Caught the train to Pineda de Mar, a town about a 30 minute train from Mataro. First impression that it is much more of a tourist place. Lots of people on the beach which is where the train station is, and many shops selling beach stuff just across from the train station.

Hit the tourist info office and then to a small art exhibition they have on the floor above. They even have a couple of Dali and Picasso's.

Then took a 2 km hike ( at least that is what we were told, seemed much longer) to a Roman bridge and a bit of an aqueduct. Nice to get out into the country side. I missed the sights at first and ended up at a couple of other ruins. Not sure how old. A mill and a fire pit for something. Not sure what. I had to back track but did find the bridge and aqueduct. Very interesting.

Then lunch and to the beach for a bit.

Had dinner at a seafood restaurant right on the beach. Very expensive at 20 euro but excellent. Sole with orange sauce - that is all you got! But then it was the whole fish. There were some fries but not very good.





August 24 Mataro Spain

Slow day. Not sure how slow this would be as most days here have been slow! Not stopped I guess that is good!