L'Ametlla del Mar

After four days climbing we felt like taking things a little easier! As the sky was blue and temperatures high we headed to the coast, spending the afternoon in Ametlla del Mar, a small pretty fishing town that we'd heard good things about...

Walking around the Port...

Surprisingly quiet beaches!

Touring the Big Boy's part of the harbour - home to an active tuna fishing fleet

Some serious sized nets!

...then back to the more modest and quaint end of the harbour

Tres Ponts

With the academic year finally over we headed north to cooler temperatures and a few days climbing! Our original destination was the Aiguestortes in the Pyrenees, but severe flooding which had washed away roads and gutted villages, along with significant amounts of snow still in the area put pay to that idea. Still, Tres Ponts in the Pre-Pyrenees was a pretty good substitute, offering shady climbing in a very windy gorge! 

A pleasant camping spot by the river. No fish for tea though. 

The climbing went into the shade in the afternoon, forcing us to spend the morning drinking tea and reading. Hard life. 

Could almost be a car add if the car wasn't so filthy and a bird hadn't blessed it! 

One of the "Ponts" (that's bridge in Catalan btw!)with the climbing sectors behind...

Walking into the crag along the smaller ponts...

Margalef again...

Same place, though different car as ours is currently in the garage with potentially terminal problems :-( Another sunny weekend up at Espadelles, getting "pumped" (tiring ourselves out!) on Margalef's amazing conglomerate cliffs...

Our shiny Seat Leon - nice car but the steering wheel is on the wrong side! 

The imposing Espadelles Sector

Margalef

For the first time in nearly a year we went to Margalef. It's such a stunning place but for me the experience is sometimes spoiled by crowds of noisy people and their lack of respect for the environment. But this weekend was a pleasant surprise, with relatively few people and it seems that some activists have been incredibly busy cleaning up the valley and equipping new routes. Hats off to these people as the valley was a far nicer place as a result, and there is now an entirely new sector with around 50 routes to try as well as more routes added to established ones.

Anyway, a few pictures...

View down towards Laboratori Sector 

Wild flowers out in force, Ali experimenting with arty shots

Morning sun in our camping spot

Walking in to the Espadelles Sector 

The view from Espadelles into the Margalef Valley

Exploring some rock formations on the way round to the new sector

Local dude with a Mohican attempts one of the super steep new routes.

Inspiration for prospective parents - daycare Spanish style! Kids left to their own devices in the open air on a ledge whilst parents climb above them. Kids play, parents climb - everyone's happy! And not a TV, Ipad or gift shop in sight...

Montsant - climbing, picnics and flowers!

With Tim, Jess and Henry safely back in blighty, we spent my parents' final day here up at Montsant. Ali and I had a morning hit at Roca de Las Horas (struggling to climb under the weight of the previous days' BBQs!) before joining my parents at the church for a picnic. The wild flowers were out in force, such bright colours and looking beautiful in the sun!

Attempting to climb "Mal de Ventre" - it's steep! Lovely views though.

The stunningly located Ermita Mare de Deu de Montsant

Picnic in the sun behind the church, trying to spot the Pyrenees through the haze...

Wild flowers :-)

More wild flowers!

And a few more for luck. A stunning display :-)

Heading back down the twisty turny track, Siurana in the background. A very nice day. 

Visitors!

Last week my parents, sister, brother and nephew came out to visit. They were staying on one of the coast's holiday parks and so we took full advantage of the facilities - swimming, mini golf, BBQs and of course sunbathing with British newspapers(!) as well as seeing a few sites away from the pool!

Walking up from Llaberia with mum and dad 

Mum was persuaded to the edge to admire the views!

The pirate with a watering can arrives! 

Time for the pool! 

Henry spots a van!

Strolling with the boat...

Time to set sail... Henry not quite so keen anymore...

A bit small for Uncle Ali

Reluctantly Henry gives the boat a go...

But wasn't a fan!

Splashing around... Some weight training for Uncle Ali

Uncle Ali gets a kick in the face!

After work we had quick peek at Trapezi, Reus's Circus Festival... some human catapults and weird dancing.

One of many lovely desserts - this one a treat from Montbrio's bakery 

Massacred! It didn't last long.

Rain and Flowers...

The beginning of May saw a few days of pretty extreme spring showers, creating some new rivers around Montbrio as well as washing away some paths and roads! It also brought out some vivid flowers, some pics below...

A waterfall outside Montbrio - there's normally a road across this! 

We won't be crossing the path today! 

Beautiful colours!