GK Tours. Day 20, 21 & 22
Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th & Monday 25th November 2024
Andorra (la Vella) to Cadaques, Spain via Ripoll
The morning was very chilly again. Our lovely diesel heater did it’s job through the night though, keeping us lovely and toasty.
Making the most of the site’s facilities, we got the van ready and then made our way back towards Spain.
Our next destination is Cadaques, where Salvador Dali built a home. We had wanted to visit a few years ago but weren’t brave enough to take the big van on the narrow winding roads.
As it was a few hours away on local mountain roads, we would have to stop somewhere overnight – we just drove until we’d had enough!
The route was very trying 
I had to stop looking down as I was starting to feel a bit sicky!
We did stop a few times to give the driver a break, it’s surprising how tiring these mountain roads are.
Some of the mountains were snow capped and a lot of the villages we passed through had ski lodges on the hills.
Eventually we arrived in a city called Ripoll. We parked in the municipal Aire alongside the river and behind a supermarket. There was a very handy river walk and park so, after a bit of grocery shopping we took Meg for a well deserved walk.
Apart from lead walks at our mountain stops she’d been in the van most of the day.
Ripoll may have had some nice things to see, but we weren’t in the mood for a walk around, choosing instead to bunker down in the van, while my homemade chicken curry reheated on the stove.
By nightfall every space in the Aire was full. A very popular stopover by all accounts.
Sunday 24th November
I was woken early this morning by shouting and tyre screeching – another first for us on this trip.
Looking out through the front windscreen I could see a bunch of guys across the park, doing something in the road.
There was no calling for help and a couple of the guys then walked across the river bridge calmly, so I think it was just high jinks. Anyway, this had woken me fully so I sat and did some knitting 
.
It rained just after I got up, making our rain-sensored skylight close. Haven’t got used to the sound of that yet but still believe it’s a good thing to have .
Once up and about we continued on towards Cadaques, passing signs for Empuriabrava and Roses, places we’ve visited previously.
The road to Cadaques didn’t disappoint and was truly as squirly whirly as we imagined it to be 
. It doesn’t help when you have impatient locals who know every inch of the road urging you on .
Anyway, we drove through the centre of the village and then missed the entrance to the campsite 
. Not too bad, we were able to turn around quite quickly and found the entrance.
This site is called We Camp Cadaques.
It has a very smart reception, the only things on sale there are some very stylish “We Camp” t-shirts and sweatshirts. How very different and refreshing if I’m honest.
This site is really smart, mobile homes, glamping tents and small apartment blocks are scattered about. The individual showers are the biggest I’ve ever seen, you could fit a family of four in each one with room to spare. We also came across our first Automatic toilet cassette cleaner!
Up on the highest terrace is another motorhome stop with fabulous views over the bay where Dali’s house rests, a little more expensive per night. Had it been better and not so windy, we may have upgraded but plumbed instead for a sheltered spot out of the wind.
The restaurant is closed for the season but you are still welcome to use the space, in and out of you wish.
Once again it’s very smart and leads down to a lovely swimming pool and sun terrace. Yes indeed, definitely a fine choice in the warmer weather 
.
Monday 25th November
Monday morning we had a lazy start and after a brunch of Halloumi and fried eggs we took a stroll down to the town. We are on top of the hill so a downward trajectory saw us pass very steep lanes and roads, some only motorcycles are allowed to use – maybe because they are so steep rather than being narrow .
The back streets of Cadaques were very quiet, giving us the impression that a lot of the properties are holiday homes. Most of the shops and bars on the side roads are closed but quite a few are open on the front.
The wind got stronger as we neared the bay road with the noise from the rough waves on the walls bouncing off the buildings.
There is evidence that the roads on the front flood, as the pavements are about 4 foot high and there are signs warning about parking there .
We stopped for a drink and a pastry opposite the La Residencia hotel, advertising with pics of Salvador Dali, a statue of whom stands on the beach front. It’s rather bohemian here, as you’d expect.
There are many adverts and shops for artists, some very pretty and ornate buildings as well as a Dali Expo, shut today sadly.
The church of Santa Maria dominates this little village and looked quite far away when we emerged from the lanes onto the seafront, but took only minutes to walk to – uphill of course .
It’s rather plain on the outside but inside is different, not overly opulent but beautiful in gold. There is also a quiet prayer area to the side, it’s the first time I have seen a request for shoes to be removed.
Outside, the view across the bay is lovely, and though the sky was overcast it was still warm. You can imagine how pretty Cadaques is with the sun shining on it in the summer.
The beaches here aren’t any good for sunbathing, no sand, more stone and rock, not that that would put off some hardy sun worshippers.
Walking back down to the harbour we stopped for tapas on the front, just enough out of the wind for it not to bother us too much . We ordered beers with an anchovy dish and fried baby squid. What we didn’t eat we took home for a Meg treat.
It was now time to tackle the inclines to return to the van , and I think we did really well, only stopping to check the map and not getting too out of breath – maybe because Gareth told me not to talk to him .
Back at the van we did some housekeeping, used the laundry and sat in the afternoon sun.
It’s really peaceful here even though it’s filled up a bit today.
We may stop here for another day tomorrow, we’re going to see what the weather is like when we emerge from the cave .
Leave a Reply