Spain Again, Naturally. 

Well I got here yesterday with Gazza. We went down to Stansted on Monday night, flew in to Reus yesterday and walked into town from the airport. Just loosening up with the rucksacks and massive change in temperature from the UK. Sunny and warm here. This is Gary on successive Tuesdays, in Spain and then a week ago on top of Ingleborough in a hurricane!

We stayed in a dodgy Hostal last night which served fantastic food very cheaply. When we arrived we were hungry and raided the tapas bar. Liver and onions, mussels in garlic, clams and other stuff. 

With two pints of beer, ten quid! The bloke on the right was off his head, talking, singing and laughing to himself. The bloke at the end of the bar was the barman. He walked around like a zombie and spat out big lumps of gob onto the floor behind the bar. Dirty dog. 

Nevertheless after three hours sleep in late afternoon and an early evening stroll around the centre of Reus we came back for paella and local red wine. Fantastic. The Hostal was £14 each. 

This morning we set off late, just after 10am, and aimed to cover 18 miles, mostly uphill and off-road, in the warm and, at its zenith, hot sun. The cherry blossom was already out and we picked up free oranges which were ripe on the trees by the side of the road. Sweet and juicy.

This region is part of Catalonia and there is a strong independance feel in the villages and cities. Flags everywhere and some people will only speak Catalan. Nobody speaks English but we get through on my poor Spanish.

We trekked through the mountains and, after a very rough uphill path for the last few miles, made it to our Hostal by 6pm. Just in time with the darkness and clouds closing in. We’re eating as I blog (how rude) and the food is great. Free tapas, burger and spaghetti Bol for Gazza. We’re tired and will get an early night. 

18 miles done, 142 to go. Night night my dear friends. Love Dave.