Sunday - Catalan Style

 

While waiting on our corner for Albert & Diana to collect us for our day north west of  Barcelona, we saw this little van jammed with flowers:

Flower Power

First stop was Suria a small hillside village  where a medieval festival/market was being held. All locals speak only Catalan, although they can speak Spanish if necessary. There were tastings for many products including cheese, pork & sausages cooked in different ways, a locally made absinthe which was so strong Peter was unable to drink, a rice dish to feed 500 people:

Cooking for 500 - it smelled fantastic

Mature cheese anyone?

BBQ Catalan style

Onto lunch at a restaurant called Cap del Plà about 20km from anywhere and it was fantastic. Very traditional Catalan food where nobody spoke English.  Bread is toasted on the open fire and food is served simply. I enjoyed the best Crèma Catalana I've ever eaten and the view, both inside and outside the restaurant, was beautiful. the first snow of the season had fallen just a couple of days earlier. albert and Diana advised us over lunch they had become enagwed in August and are to be married next October or November. We are to be invited to the wedding - we would love to be able to attend but will have to see.

Did I mention it was .... cold?

Restaurant Cap del Plà

 

View from our table

Diana and Albert

Enjoying a little red wine

 

Nothing like an open fire to warm the behind

We finished lunch about 5pm and before returning to Barcelona we visited Cardona Castle which is also a parador where, for quite a reasonable price, provides accommodation. It also offers wedding packages for 100 guests including the banquet, accommodation and breakfast for 200 Euro.

 

We got back to Barcelona around 8.30pm. It was such a lovely way to spend a Sunday and we were lucky that the rain held off until we were driving home. Diana and Albert - very special people.

Cardona Castle

 

 

Now that's art!