A Day of Wine and “Roses”!

It’s been over a week since I last wrote a post. 

Sometimes every day life takes over and to tell you the truth I have been battling a bad cold/cough since we arrived home 3 weeks ago. 

Finally recovering.

On Sunday, September 22nd we made a conscious decision to have an easy day in Maureillas-las-Illas. 

Madame Susan and Monsieur Mark enjoyed some fresh air and exercise walking in the “Cork Forest” with Hazel (our next door neighbour/ landlady).

After they returned we enjoyed our afternoon in the lower garden ... alfresco lunch of homemade chicken vegetable soup, etc., some card playing with “unbridled skill” (Madame Susan’s words you see Monsieur Honey is not a card shark but we think he’s finally got it, such fun) and the “Big Chill” soundtrack was playing in the background. 

“How Sweet It Is!”

This may also have been the night of our dance party on the terrace.  

 

We also did some planning for tomorrow’s outing.

During their walk with Hazel, our friends mentioned that Madame Susan was on the hunt for some pottery pieces and Monsieur Mark was looking for some special Scotches and unique liquors.

Hazel suggested a couple of places to suss out.

So plans were made to head across the border to Spain for our Monday adventure. 

Monday, September 23, 2019 ...

We set off for our cross border journey to Spain. We had a plan and the destinations’ addresses on hand. 

First stop was “Jordi Ceramica” in Biure ... let’s just call it a “Ceramic Superstore”! 

Here you could find anything and everything made of pottery! And of course full of colour! 

After our thorough tour of the Ceramic store and yard we were off in search of the “Wine Palace” in Figueres. 

We passed a couple on the way but these were smaller outlets, we continued to the address we had. 

Now I’m having trouble finding the words to describe this place. 

But I’ll try ... Gigantic. Super-Superstore. Huge. Massive.   

These are just a few words that come to mind. 

It certainly wasn’t a “palace” as we know them but rather an enormous warehouse style shop housing thousands of different wines and spirits. 

In addition it had a large delicatessen, cheese counter, grocery section carrying special olive oils, tuna, sardines and sweets.

Bonus was the free tasting throughout the store.

For any connoisseurs of food and drink, this would most certainly fall into the category of a palace! 

We lost ourselves here for a couple of hours, checking out the large selection of wines & spirits and enjoying the delicious nibbles that were located in strategic places amongst the goods.

Yummy cheeses, dried sausages, cakes, cookies, chocolates and so much more. 

And did I mention I was in “rosé” heaven.

There were aisles and shelves of every kind from all over the country .... even a favourite French one from Gerard Bertrand.





We had planned on checking out Figueres however we decided to go to the seaside in Roses. 

Just a short drive, it is about 45 kms south of the French border and even a shorter drive from Figueres. 

Roses is a city in the province of Girona, Catalonia on the Costa Brava. The city dates back to the 4th century when the Greeks settled here and built the colony. Ownership changed hands over the years.

It’s main industries are tourism, agriculture with many vineyards and olive groves. 

It is the largest fishing port on the northern coast of Catalonia.

As you can see the water was sparkling and the sky was bluer than blue. 

We walked along the waterfront and the inner pedestrian streets checking out the views, architecture, shops and of course some people watching from front row café seats with a cool drink.

Then it was time for some sustenance ... We found an interesting Argentinian restaurant located on a quieter pedestrian street.  

The menu du jour was inviting ... delicious grilled meats served with sautéed vegetables & baked potatoes. 

It was a good choice.

It was an enjoyable day out and about in Spain. 

Madame Susan and Monsieur Mark we’re smitten with the town of Roses to the point of even talking about doing a holiday here another time! 

Dilly - “Dalí “ing in Cadaqués, Spain

It’s Friday, September 22nd, 2017 and Monsieur Honey says we are going on a road trip. 

Ceret is located so close to Spain it’s nothing to slip across the border for some lunch, shopping and/or sightseeing.

We opted to skip a repeat of our “day of wine & roses” in Roses, Spain where we have enjoyed delicious seafood dishes and rosé wine on two previous stays. 

It was tempting to return to the familiar. 

I would have loved a visit with Marta, the proprietor at L’Estrop Restaurant and enjoy some deliciously prepared dishes plus dip some fresh bread in a tiny bowl of the most delectable olive oil.

 “Oli de L’Avi Pere” olive oil produced by Marta’s father. 

Actually, I would have purchased more bottles of this buttery olive oil to bring back home as this year’s souvenir. 

Maybe next time. 

Even though Molly our dear GPS who was fully dressed with all the updated European maps made the trip across the air and seas with us; Monsieur Honey used the built in GPS to be his trusted navigator for our excursion.

We didn’t realize that our rental car would have a navigation system. 

What a surprise ... bonus! 

We travelled familiar roads until we reached just outside Roses. 

We headed to the coastline manoeuvering twists and turns, hairpin curves up and then down on the steep hills on the Costa Brava (known as the Wild or Rough Coast).

As we descended, we had magnificent views of the of this new to us, sparkling “whitewashed town” of Cadaqués located on the bay in the middle of the Cap de Creus peninsula in the Mediterranean. 

I don’t think I have any photos from above because as you know I’m not the greatest with this kind of travel, heights and narrow roads and all the while Monsieur Honey is saying “Pat, look Pat, there’s a great shot! Look Pat look!” 

How does he know that if he’s suppose to have his eyes on the road! Yikes!

Santa Maria the 16th century hilltop Gothic Church dominating the skyline.

This area attracted many artists over the years and is a special place in art history. 

Not unlike the southwest coast of France on the Mediterranean, there is magic in the light.

Salvador Dali visited here many times during his childhood and later had a home in Port Lligat, a small village on the bay next to the town. 

Dali’s House-Museum is a very popular tourist attraction requiring the purchase of tickets beforehand. 

As you stroll along the waterfront you will find replicas of Dali’s works enclosed in plexiglass.

We drove into town through the narrow streets not paying particular attention where the parking lots were located.

We drove around the bay along the water to the far side and found a spot in a far afield beach parking area. 

It’s a good thing I’m not adverse to walking distances. 

This beautiful seaside town is just so fresh with sea air, tranquil in its own way (although we visited in the shoulder season, so not as many tourists maybe that helped) and the water is many shades of azure blue. 

It’s full of charm, little boutiques, artist galleries and many bars and restaurants. 

The photos below were taken from the far side as we were walking into the town from the beach parking area ...

We walked around the whole Bay Area first and then it was time for some food and refreshment. 

We found a tiny restaurant with outdoor seating along the waterfront with great views of the water activity. 

First some Spanish rosé and olives before our lunch order arrived. 

The views from our table ...

And we had front row seats to a photo shoot ... we guessed for a fashion magazine. 

We ran in to this group in several locations with the model changing into different gowns right in the open. 

At one point I thought I would have to blindfold Monsieur Honey as she was standing in front of us in her undergarments. 

Now refueled we continued our walking tour through the towns’ cobble stoned lanes and streets ... the old town definitely is pedestrian friendly. 

Automobile access is difficult, climbing the narrow uphill lanes. 

 

   

The streets are filled with little white houses overlooking the sea most adorned with blue shutters and gorgeous colourful flowers. 

  

Monsieur Honey enjoying the long view ...

Casa Serinyana or Sa Casa Blaua ... the Blue House is one of the modernist buildings along the seafront.

Through my readings I’ve discovered that some of Cadaqués ’ inhabitants moved to Cuba during the early years of the 20th century.

Here many of them became financially successful and they later returned to Cadaqués where they built large, ornate houses. 

The Blue House is an example with it’s glazed blue tiles and wrought iron balconies. 

It is a spectacular sight. 

Some colourful Spanish pottery that decorates the “white chalk” houses ...

                         

Oh I so hoped to get a glass of wine here to numb my senses for the hair raising, white knuckle drive back home to Cerét ... but no luck this Tropical Cafe was not open, they were probably enjoying their siesta! 

We did arrive safely back home and since it’s Friday we parked down below in one of the village’s car parks as tomorrow is Market Day in Cerét. 

I think Dali describes the town beautifully ...

An excerpt ... ~Salvador Dali, letter to his uncle, 1919, Ian Gibson, The Shameful Life of Salvador Dalí, Faber and Faber, London, 1997, p.65 

“ I spent a delicious summer, as always, in the ideal and dreamy village of Cadaqués. There, beside the Latin sea, I gorged myself on light and colour. I spent the fiery days of summer painting frenetically and trying to capture the incomparable beauty of the sea and of the sun-drenched beach.“

"Cim I Tomba" at Can Carlus in Tossa de Mar (Part Two)

As the saying goes "when in Rome do as the Romans do" ... 

When travelling we try to live by that saying by being adventurous in what we eat and drink.

Today was not different although we did have something we had last year ... but it was so delicious we had to have it again.

We chose to eat at "Can Carlus" located on a cobble stoned lane next to the old walls.

We had reserved a table for four at 1230 to 100 with John, the same waiter we had met last year.

                          

  

When we arrived he offered us "Cava" as a gift ... so we had a toast to our day in Tossa de Mar with Madame M. and Msr. Guy.

Last year Msr. Honey had a pocketful of souvenir Canadian pins that he obtained at our local MPs office before we left.

John was a recipient of one of these pins ... he recognized us and welcomed us back! 

One the specialties of the area is "Cim I Tomba", my best way to describe it ...

 It is like a fish stew but so much better.

A little white wine ...

The pan of Cim I Tomba presented to us before it was served on individual plates ...

Potatoes, onions, peppers, roasted garlic bulbs, some aioli, fish fillets ... there are various recipes.

That was good ...

Something sweet ...

House liqueur ...

 Waiters dressed as they should be ... Thank you for the great food and service!

                  

If you find yourself in Tossa de Mar ... make sure to try the Cim I Tomba at "Can Carlus".

www.cancarlus.com

 

I think we were all "Happy, Happy" with our delicious lunch!

                        

Come back to see more "Postcards from Tossa de Mar" in the next post.

My camera was in overdrive today!