Rocallaura II

Although the roman pool at Can Sula was very authentic and very refreshing we asked the guys where we could find a larger (warmer) pool. It turned out that the local community pool was about 10 minutes away in another town so we decided to try and find it one afternoon. There of course were no signs to follow so we had to drive through the town looking for people with wet hair, towels or blown up toys. We circled the town from above a few times before Noah caught a glimpse of a pool down below.  We buttered up the sides of the car and began our tight squeeze through ridiculously tight streets and corners that looked far too narrow to accommodate our car.  Most of these streets are two way but we were lucky to not run into any oncoming traffic so we didn’t have to navigate backwards as well as forwards.  It was a very large outdoor pool with grassy areas to lie out and an outdoor bar with tables and chairs for the parents. This is what our local pools need while us parents sit through swimming lessons week after week! There were lots of locals relaxing around the pool and the boys went right in for some laps and play. Noah is on a mission when he gets into any pools these days and does a minimum of 25 laps and 100 sit-ups with his feet up and over the ledge while he pulls himself out of the water – Calvin and I grabbed a beer and cheered him on. He is keeping in shape for hockey when we get back. 

The next day was hike day.  Oriel told us about a beautiful hike to a river and waterfall and showed us a video on his Iphone that he said looked a bit like Jurassic Park.   His broken Spanish directions were a bit sketchy,” When you see the sign of the town la Fabre, you’ll see a path in the 25th km and maybe some cars”.   Here are the directions as we remember in case you are ever in the neighborhood….it is well worth the effort: 

Drive to la Fabre (not on most maps but it was on our GPS) and watch the signs as you leave town – approximately 4-5 Kms from la Frabe you will see roadside kilometer markers and within a few meters of the 26Km post on the right side of the road.  There is a gravel driveway that is accessible from the right side of the road.  It slopes immediately from the paved road so be careful of cars leaving when you enter.  There will likely be cars parked there and roofs are visible from the road.  Parking is limited to 5-6 cars.  We saw a car leaving and I jumped out and did my best charade of swimming and waterfalls. They confirmed we were in the right spot.

We parked and I swatted a fly (I thought) off my leg and was instantly stung by a wasp. I could not control the profanity for a few minutes – a bit educational for the boys but it really hurt!!! I pulled myself together and grabbed an ice pack and held it to my leg while we walked. Calvin likes to tease me that it was a mosquito but I assure you it was not.   At roughly the 10 minute mark, there is a fork in the road – turn left (I believe there is a G for Il Gorges painted on the rock but I’m pretty sure it pointed to me for ‘Gorgeous’ – ice pack and all).   It’s approximately 20 minutes of brisk hiking down switch backs to get to the end of the dirt road where you enter the path through the woods to river.  When you arrive at the first swimming area (swimming all depends on the season as it was pretty shallow that day) you must cross over the rocks and shallow water to the other side.  We forgot that part and it cost us 20 minutes of hiking each way to get back to this spot.  Cross the water and you should be able to see the entrance to a path – another 20 minutes and you’re swimming under a waterfall.  Bring a picnic, plenty of water, some fly spray and a camera.   

We swam, ate our picnic and the boys explored a few small caves with a flashlight Calvin had brought, while I sunbathed. It was a really nice afternoon but a hot, long hike, uphill the entire way, back to the car.  This spot is truly magical and very private.  We didn’t see or hear anyone all afternoon AND there are no bears or mountain lions to worry about. 

Can Sula does not have a dishwasher so the boys have been doing the dishes. It has been great. They take turns washing and drying and someone always needs to go to the bathroom when it’s their turn to dry but the dishes wait for them. It reminds me of drying dishes with Aunt Deb when I was a kid. We used to sing and harmonize together to pass the time but I used the bathroom excuse often. 

The boys have been catching up on down time while chillaxing in Rocallaura.  Reading and a few old movies fill most of our days.  Noah and Calvin are watching the Terminator series and Devin, Aidan and I are catching up on Back to the Future. 

We’ve been trying to book an apartment in Venice but having to drive 30 minutes to find an internet point has proved to be a bit of a hassle.  Noah and Calvin left the morning of our final day to drive to Tarrega (approximately 30 minutes away) to search for model paint and an internet point.  They apparently found both pretty quickly but when hunger struck, they decided to set out to find another recommendation we received from the guys – Hostal del Rector.  It’s a small restaurant in a hill top town slightly larger than Rocallaura but in the opposite direction.  The boys found it with ease (GPS) and apparently had the best meal of the trip.  10 euros each got them a three course meal: spaghetti Bolognese, grilled pork with frites and alliolo (a rich garlic, olive oil and mayonnaise mix), chocolate mousse for desert and two cokes.  Noah said he could have eaten a bucket of the spaghetti.

Calvin and the boys were very disappointed that they did not have an opportunity to make hay while visiting in Cape Breton so he and Noah stopped on their way back from Tarrega to help a few farmers with their summer harvest.  Not sure what animals the locals are feeding with these hay bales but maybe Oriel’s Jurassic Park reference wasn’t all in humour – ya gotta think T-rex when you see food packaged in the size of small cars.

We are off to Italy tomorrow.  An early breakfast, fast drive to Barcelona airport and an airplane ride to Venice via Spanair.  Flights in Europe are super cheap and the distances are shorter than in the US as they use KM here instead of miles. Not sure how they really do it but we are flying to Venice for approximately $200 cdn for the family – that’s like flying from North Vancouver to Calgary but we would pay that much per person. 

Rocallaura was a great place to bring our time in Spain to an end – very relaxing and it felt like we really experienced the Spain of old!  Spain has definitely become a favourite of ours and we will miss it but we will be back. 

Spain 2011

Madrid - Toledo - Granada - Fuengirola - Gibraltar - Malaga - Seville - Fuengirola - Barcelona - L'Escala - Rocallaura - Barcelona

2,868km

Best experiences:  Devin’s divin' save on the beaches of Malaga; muddin’ up at the Roman baths; bullfight in Sevilla; the sights, smells and sounds of Barcelona; cruising the Costa Brava with handsome Peter, and; hiking and swimming in the mountain waters of El Gorges.

Best accommodation: Barcelona for the style; Malaga for the view; L’Escala for the company; Rocallaura for the peace, and; Madrid for the location.

Best meals:  Hostal del Rector in Vallfogona de Riucorb (last day) and Tapas in Madrid (first day)

Best desert: Churros in chocolate

Bested by an animal: One spider; Shrewdness of Apes; One wasp, and; a small child in Guell Park.

Best cathedrals: Toledo and Montserrat

Best repeated new phrase: “Excuse mee, I am sORRy but IT is abSOlutely FORbidden” and “Holy Toledo!”

Best city: Barcelona

Best beaches: just about everywhere in Costa Brava