Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

I’m on a Spain  bent with Wordless Wednesday set in the Spanish countryside and  Friday Fictioneers  set in Barcelona so I thought it was time to post a few other Spanish photographs and memories of the wonderful contrasts, great artists, innovative architects and the world’s largest camping ground (or at least the biggest we have ever seen as we were lost in it for numerous hours and had to get help to find our way out.

We entered Spain from France around Perignon and were thrilled to find as we crossed the border that suddenly every body could speak English. The shops were full of wonderful items; none of which we bought because we believed we would see the same items time over time and probably for a cheaper price once we were away from the border. It was our first experience of wine being sold in 20 litre plastic drums. The Spanish, we decided, must be a society of big drinkers.

From there we travelled down the Costa Brava coastline making a nostalgic trip to Lloret de Mar – a town where Roger had been when he was about 18 with 4 of his friends – and a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. From this point it was difficult as neither of us spoke Spanish and not a soul seemed to speak English. Then on to Barcelona where we saw Casa Batllo. For once our lack of pre-research was a failing as we missed many of the other Gaudi buildings that were there to see in the city. If you want to see more of the  genius of Gaudi and other works he created in Barcelona (particularly the rooftop of Casa Mila) I recommend this National Geographic site.

Instead, after I was conned out of ten euros (at least I wouldn’t play for the 100 euro they were insisting upon) we decided it was time to leave the city and we headed south. Eventually camping in the big campground at Tarragona, another large city. Wanting to avoid the cities we headed west towards Zaragoza making our way to Pamplona. The countryside and the River Ebro and its tributaries were spectacular.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

We unexpectedly came across this church de Montserrat as we travelled west. This was another of Antoni Gaudi’s works.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

Pamplona was a nightmare for us. We looked for the old town but couldn’t find it. We drove in circles for hours. We wanted to see where the running of the bulls was held. Eventually we gave up and drove out of town camping in a free camp spot in the middle of nowhere, seemingly deserted by all. We headed back to France travelling up the French Riviera. Although it was a spectacular trip and Roger wanted to immediately head to Spain to live, I was relieved to be back amongst French speakers. At least I could again communicate. I agreed to move to Spain when I could speak Spanish. The lessons have yet to begin.