Coffee with Pandora

It's early Saturday morning, coffee and quiet time in Panama City Beach ... Waiting for the sun to break through the clouds and outside air temperatures to rise so that we may spend the day on the "Beach".

I want to finish reading my book and there is nothing better than being able to do that sitting on the beach with the warmth of the sunshine on your skin.

This year's weather is constantly changing ... here in the USA the weathermen name the "Winter" storms and this morning the latest one called "Pandora" is about to wreak some havoc over the country.

"Pandora" takes me back to our time in Tossa de Mar, Costa Brava, Spain last May.

This was a memory trip for Msr. Honey ... he had travelled here as a young adult on his first trip abroad on his own. 

So for awhile today I will do some armchair travelling back in time by looking at some old photos and reading some of the older posts about our week spent in Tossa de Mar.

I've included a couple to links from May 2014 ... These are just a couple of the posts about our time in Tossa de Mar ...

http://postcardsfromthelot.blogspot.com/2014/05/tossa-de-mar-then-and-now.html?spref=bl

http://postcardsfromthelot.blogspot.com/2014/05/pandoras-influence.html?spref=bl

Hope you enjoy travelling to Spain from wherever you are today.

Sojourn to Seté

#TossadeMar#Sete#lepetitbistro#Risotto

Tuesday morning we said "Adios " to Tossa de Mar starting our travels north out of Spain into the south of France.

A window to the Mediterranean ...

A last view of the old castle ...

We had pre planned our stays for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday ...(more about that in the following posts) but only decided the previous evening to have a one night stop in Seté.

And it was Tuesday after all ... Monsieur Honey's line ... "It is laundry day!"

Checked in to our Hotel for the night and enjoyed a cool beverage on the terrace... Then wandered done by the water, discovered the laundromat and decided to do the wash before heading out of Seté in the morning.

We asked the barman for a restaurant recommendation and we were told to go to " Le Petit Bistro"... Ah yes we walked by it's closed doors. 

After some inquiring we learnt that it opened at 7PM, and we were advised to make a reservation by the hotel receptionist.

"Really, do we need one?" We both asked in disbelief.

"Oh, mais oui, Monsieur!" ... a table for two for 7:30PM was reserved.

At the appointed time, dressed for dinner we sauntered down the street ... Only to find an empty restaurant with the owner/ chef and waitress eating their meals. 

We were told to take a table and soon they would be with us.

Patiently we sat and wondered if we were the only ones for the night ... by eight thirty every table in the house was occupied.

As it was so busy ... we only took one photo so as not to disturb the other clientele.

The food was delicious and beautifully presented...

Here is Monsieur Honey's choosen dish ...

A creamy risotto with mushrooms, shrimp, green asparagus tips ... the shrimp were more the size of baby lobsters.

When it was served we both looked into each other's eyes and Monsieur became Grandpa for moment saying ... I know what our Mason would say ........."It's Bug Night, Grandma!"

The boys like to give their evening meals a themed name ... i.e. If we are having ham, it's "Ham Night".

Next morning after our petit déjeuner, we were off to the laundromat only to find the machines out of order ...

Welcome to France!

The View from the Top!

Today the sun was shining brightly all day ... perfect for another climb, stroll to the "Vila Vella Ramparts"!

Vila Vella or the Old Town of Tossa is the only remaining fortified medieval town on the Catalan coast.

In 1931 it was designated as an artistic-historic monument .

The original structure dates to the beginning of the 13th century.

From high above the views are amazing of the new town, the beaches and beautiful blue waters of the sea.

We discovered an easier way to get to the top than walking the winding cobblestone streets that ascend the hillside ... lucky for me, otherwise I may have missed the stunning views from the top.

We did walk up but it was not as noticeable that we were climbing ... Up, up and away we went!

We did tour the Museum while we were at the top ... which was very impressive.

            

Chagall came to Tossa de Mar in 1934, stayed the entire summer and called it "blue paradise" ... 

The only Chagall painting in Spain is on display at the museum.

After our morning of climbing and culture, our afternoon included sangria aperos, a seafood lunch, a siesta and soaking up the warmth of the sunshine.

We enjoyed some tapas ... Small fried shrimp, cod fritters and monkfish croquettes ...

Rosejat de fideos ... Noodles fried in olive oil with mussels and shrimp

Delicious food at "Can Carlus".

Hotel Diana (Casa Sans)

#TossadeMar#HotelDiana#PandoraandtheFlyingDutchman

After our three hour sidetrip to Sa Tuna we continued to our destination the "Hotel Diana"  in Tossa de Mar which is an outstandingly well preserved Art Deco style building.

*"The building has an unusual sea facing facade, with Modernist gargoyles representing the four seasons, trencadis mosaics made from glazed shards, and wrought iron similar to that found in Gaudi's Casa Vicens in Barcelona. 

... Most of Antoni de Falguera's original decoration is preserved.

The magnificent stained glass windows ... and the spectacular fireplace are absolutely characteristic of the Catalan Modernist style.

The marble staircase and the fountain with it's Frederic Mares sculpture of Diana the Huntress both belong to a later period, after Casa Sans was acquired by the Vilallonga family in 1930."

* above info from local tourist info brochure.

It faces the beach and bay with views of the walled town and the main entrance is in a small square.

Our room overlooks the square... 

               

After a brief rest we strolled through the Historic Center and decided on a restaurant for our first evening meal in Spain. 

"Tapa A Tapa" was at the end of a narrow alley way...

As we had a significant meal at lunch, we opted for a lighter fare with some Spanish wine and later we were treated to a homemade Spanish liqueur, Orujo (similar to Limoncello) on the house by the restaurant owner.

An enjoyable "Welcome to Spain" which led to another very good night's sleep!

The Clock is Ticking!

#countdown#itinerary#TossadeMar#Bandols#Uzes#Compostela

#LaBelleFrance

Tick tock ... tick tock ... We are starting to count the days until our departure!

            

Our itinerary is all set ... at least as much as we want it to be!

And wow it will be a busy adventure.

We will experience seeing many new sights in many villages, towns, and cities that are new to us and also revisiting some favorite places.

We will be tasting new foods and wines, adapting to different cultures and customs while travelling in both Spain and France.

It will be a wonderful way to celebrate two special events ... 

... Our upcoming 25th anniversary ...

oh yes, Monsieur Honey can you believe it has been that many years, and of course to celebrate the "changing of my front door" birthday.

Unlike the past two years' rendezvous' with our beloved France, we are not staying in one location for the duration of the trip.

Our flights are confirmed ...  

Our car is rented ... so what will Monsieur Honey be driving this year? 

Most of our accommodation is booked ... from our airport hotel on arrival in Toulouse to the seaside resort in Tossa de Mar, Spain...

Photo credit to Hotel website ...

                              

And then back across the border to the South of France where we have a three day stay planned at another charming hotel located in the countryside in the Bandol wine region, a week in an apartment in Uzés, and then various places during our adventure in the North of Spain when my friend and I will be walking part of the Camino to Santiago de Compostela, while Monsieur Honey and his ami Monsieur Guy search out the local sights and restaurants for our afternoons and evenings together.

For the last three weeks we will finish our adventure in our beloved France!

Costa Brava Bound!

#Tossa de Mar#Costa Brava#Hotel Diana#Memory lane#Collioure

This year's adventure is going to include a trip down "memory lane" for Monsieur Honey.

In the early 1960s as a young man, Monsieur Honey living in his homeland of England embarked upon his first trip abroad.

He travelled by train from the north of England across the English Channel through France into southern Spain.

We have planned a week-long stay at the Hotel Diana on the Mediterranean Coast in the ancient fisherman's village come holiday resort of Tossa de Mar.

Tossa de Mar is almost equidistant between the French border and the city of Barcelona, situated in the municipality of Catalonia, Spain on the Costa Brava.

Being only approximately 100 kilometres north of Barcelona, we also plan on including some day trips to see and visit some of the famous sights.

While Monsieur Honey was on his trip abroad 50 plus years ago, he captured these amazing black and white photos of Tossa de Mar ... he hopes to be able to stand in the same view points and compare the scenes. 

(Does my Msr. have too much time on his hands?)

I hope to find a special spot on one of the beaches to soak up the ambiance of the Mediterranean, I have a feeling the village will have a similar vibe to one of our favorite French places ...

Collioure which is also an ancient Catalan fishing village on the Med.

     Where do you think this young lady is today?

    Blue waters of the Mediterranean in Collioure, France. 

I am looking forward to the fresh seafood and Catalan specialities, discovering a new country, and enjoying the golden sunlight.

Stayed tuned for future "Postcards" ... postmarked from Costa Brava!