We have made it!
to the Mediterrean town of Collioure in France.
Over 800km since leaving Fos in France, then 9 days of travelling through the Pyrenees in Spain.
We are now at sealevel in southern France, after a week at 1000-2400m altitude.
About 60% of the 781km travelled was offroad trails.
The last day was relatively quick, climbing up into the hills after leaving Montagut and passing the historic
bridge.
We had a short delay whilst a woodsman was using his horse to pull logs he had felled, then he rode it up a
steep bank.
We soon left the hills and travelled across a flat area of vineyards and olive groves, one of the highlights being a
open market in a small village of Llers, where we bought fresh corn bread and cake from a stall.
Then we had the BIG ford crossing, water was coming over the bonnet so we were glad of snorkel fitted to the
landcruiser!
After a picnic lunch in the shade of an olive tree we climbed one of the last colls - Coll de Banyulls - to the
border between Spain and France.
A high mountain traverse followed along dirt tracks with views over the Mediterrean Sea, and hilltop forts built
during the Spainish Civil Warm.
We arrived in Coullioure about 3pm and after checking our campsite options, we settled for one (Criques de Porteils)
on a clifftop, a bit of an ordeal checking in and locating a camping spot - being driven around in a buggy to
confirm our chosen plot.
After setting up camp, we waited for the day to cool down a bit, before heading out on mountain bikes to explore
Collioure, a lovely town and tourist destination, famous for fishing of anchovies - so we bought some for dinner. We
enjoyed a pint in a bar on the waterfront.
On the way back from camp, we stopped off at "Banyuls Domaine Reno" to stock up on red wine, 3 bottles and a 5litre
mini-cask - fun carrying back on bikes!
Another open air dinner in the campsite - still warm at 9.30pm
tomorrow- the Massif Central in France!
