Monday 17 th September

Not allowed to use St Joan de Les Abedesses Aire facilities to dispose waste, take on water etc until 10.00 am (council clear the bins and clean toilet before then, and the workers congregate for breakfast). Off to Ripoll Aire/ large car park, 10 mins down the valley, a Spanish Via Verde cycle route runs right behind it (disused railway line ) with a cafe/ restaurant. We went for a farewell coffee with Grant and Andrea (thank you for the converter electric plug Grant). Huge monastery at Ripoll, completed half of a town walk of this interesting large working town at the confluence of two rivers, and then set off for a trip up into the Catalan hills. Splendiferous wooded hills, climbed to 1700 m , past ski ing resort La Molina and down to the head of one valley to Puigcerda then on to La Seu d'Arguell , and a 2 star roadside campsite (the Aire was a car park on a wasteland on the outskirts surrounded by mesh wire fencing, it felt a bit like a prison camp, hence decision to camp).  Camping Gran Sol 2 star site by main road, shady large pitches swimming pool closed sadly but grateful for a cool shower and a chance to do more laundry .the Night time traffic and local factory guard dogs barking weren't loud enough disturb our sleep.

Aire in St Joan De Les Abadesses

Park in Puigcerda

Pass on the N260 Ripoll - Puigcerda