42:15.29N 03:10.53E Roses 5 to 9 May 2010

Ariel of Hamble
Jim and Valerie SHURVELL
Sat 8 May 2010 19:35

42:15.29N   03:10.53E        Roses       5 to 9 May 2010

 

We left Palamos in the early afternoon as the wind was in our favour and we had just past the Isles of Mendes before entering the large bay of Roses when we started to get quite wet.  We had dodged the heavy rains which seem to be drawn out to sea but we couldn’t for ever miss one getting us.  The skies were heavy with cloud formation as you can see from the photographs.  We did see the snow on the mountains at the back of Roses which had had a new fall when we had the terrible night storm.  The Spanish people at the marinas say they have never known it to snow in May and so close to the coast. We covered 25.4 miles along the coast from Palamos to the marina at Roses.

The new marina was opened in 2004 and it is very pleasant with very nice facilities.  As usual British boats are put the furthest away from the marina office but we are stern to looking out to sea and across the bay to Empuriabrava and the mountains with the marina road between us and the sea.  It is one of the nicest views we have ever had as usually the sea wall is in the way.

The large bay has become a mecca for lovers of water sports due to the large sandy beach.  Kite surfing is very popular.

On our first morning over 25 flamingos flew over the harbour which was a first for us.  Roses has a national park and large sea areas are protected from anchoring, fishing, diving etc. so we can only think these flamingos live locally in a protected area.

We came to Roses as 37 years ago we honeymooned here.  The Hotel Univers is now opposite the marina whereas there were only rocks across the road from the hotel.  The hotel looks no different and still looks as though it is still very popular which was nice to see. The small village as it was is now a town.  As we walked around the town we remembered the many little side roads and small restaurants.  The small wine shops are not visible or the little shops selling cork pictures but there are many little shops for window shopping. The paella’s still look as good but we did visit the community market and brought a ready made paella for dinner which was delicious.  Probably, I must admit not as good as Jim cooks as he adds so many different types of fish.

 It is ideal for bike riding here and yesterday we went along the coast to Cala de Canyelles which is a beautiful little bay with many apartments and hotels.  As it was very steep coming into Canyelles we cheated and walked the bikes along the new pave way around the rocks.  Jim was not to impressed with the steps they had put in at different spots but a lot easier that the steep hill!  People were swimming in the sea and kids were making sand castles and playing.

Today we cycled along to Santa Margarida in the opposite direction from Canyelles again along a wonderful promenade which must have been built in the last 2 or 3 years.  It is wide and gives ample space for walkers and bikers alike.  Hotels and apartments are all along the beautiful beach and I can imagine it must be very popular in the summer months. We have met several English people who have holiday homes here as it offers the weather, scenery and the possibility of driving or flying here.

None of them were very happy with the election results and the way the pound had dropped against the euro!!!!

Unfortunately, internet is not high on the list here in Spain which is making it quite difficult to send the blogs.  I managed at Palamos as they plugged their connection into my laptop and were quite happy to do so which is why so many got sent on the same day.  We are nearly at the French border so hopefully the internet problem will disappear.

To finish our stay in Roses we have had a marvellous paella meal at the Michelin restaurant overlooking the marina.  One up on 37 years ago!!!

l

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