Day 5
Lazed around this morning as the cows grazed right up to the house with their bells like wind chimes. The morning fog is burning off and it looks like another great day.
Jill put a load of laundry in and I went up to the hotel pool with Kristen. I attempted to nap, then caught up with diary writing.
Drove up to Ribes, about 1 ½ hours away, around noon or so. Stopped at a hotel south of Ribes for lunch – Dave Sausage (ok), salmon (over-sauced) and Granny Smith apple sorbet (very good). Jill – Esclavata (roasted peppers and eggplant on toast, very good) and roast chicken. Kristen French Fries followed by a ride on the electronic pony outside, and the playset.
Tried and failed to find the 12th c. church carved doorway in Ripoll and headed to the train in Ribes – the Cremiallant.
The 4-car train was nearly empty for the trip up. It was on regular rails the first half and a cog railway the second. The second half of the trip affords spectacular views since you are climbing steeply into the Pyrenees. No snow, though. Must still be some up top, though, as there are many rushing streams.
At the top we had refreshments and walked around the valley (Val de Nuria, same name as our hotel hostess). The valley is pretty, but unfortunately the sun went behind a mountain just after we arrived. Also a construction helicopter hovered over the main building, creating quite a racket. We went down an hour later. The car ride home was typical twist-n-turn every 100 yards and we made it home around 8:30.
(Ed. Note: Kristen fell and had a tantrum up on top, which also adversely affected the mood.)
Dinner at the hotel – Jill roasted veggies and an omelet, Dave 5 “little blue fish” (sardines?) whole, and I forget what else.
Day 6 >>>
Jill put a load of laundry in and I went up to the hotel pool with Kristen. I attempted to nap, then caught up with diary writing.
Drove up to Ribes, about 1 ½ hours away, around noon or so. Stopped at a hotel south of Ribes for lunch – Dave Sausage (ok), salmon (over-sauced) and Granny Smith apple sorbet (very good). Jill – Esclavata (roasted peppers and eggplant on toast, very good) and roast chicken. Kristen French Fries followed by a ride on the electronic pony outside, and the playset.
Tried and failed to find the 12th c. church carved doorway in Ripoll and headed to the train in Ribes – the Cremiallant.
The 4-car train was nearly empty for the trip up. It was on regular rails the first half and a cog railway the second. The second half of the trip affords spectacular views since you are climbing steeply into the Pyrenees. No snow, though. Must still be some up top, though, as there are many rushing streams.
At the top we had refreshments and walked around the valley (Val de Nuria, same name as our hotel hostess). The valley is pretty, but unfortunately the sun went behind a mountain just after we arrived. Also a construction helicopter hovered over the main building, creating quite a racket. We went down an hour later. The car ride home was typical twist-n-turn every 100 yards and we made it home around 8:30.
(Ed. Note: Kristen fell and had a tantrum up on top, which also adversely affected the mood.)
Dinner at the hotel – Jill roasted veggies and an omelet, Dave 5 “little blue fish” (sardines?) whole, and I forget what else.
Day 6 >>>
