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.“
