Pineda de Mar - Costa Dorarda, Spain September 1983

Thursday 1st September
Set off at 5.30am. I drove on the motorway for some of the way. Had 'Early Starter' breakfast at a Little Chef. Got to Lydd airport [in Kent] approx. 11.30am. Had a coffee and sandwiches for lunch. We could watch the planes just outside the lounge. They were Heralds - fairly small with just two propeller engines.

https://enacademic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/1520717

Went to the waiting room, then after having the suitcases weighed and passports checked, we boarded the plane. It felt quite rough as the plane taxied down the runway, but when it turned around and set off it was quite smooth as it took off and climbed easily. For a while I could see the fields and roads out of the window but when we climbed over the channel, low clouds obscured the view. When we starated to descend the countryside got steadily larger. The landing at Beauvais airport [near Paris] was not bad and we got out after 40mins flying to a very wet France.

We collected our suitcases from the conveyor and were immediately put on our coach by two Summerplan couriers. After quite a long wait the two drivers appeared and we set off. We headed towards Paris to pick up a main route South. In Paris however it was very busy. As we trailed around the outskirts we saw the Eiffel Tower quite a few times in the distance. The coach stopped once or twice for toilets (because the one on the coach was not working) and then finally stopped at 9pm for dinner at a service station.

Here I had Pork and chips in a nice sauce (31Fr). We got two bottles of water after a queue and got back on the coach for 10pm. A courier from the coach that set off an hour behind us joined our coach. There should have been one to each but there was not. Our drivers did not start up again until 10.40pm, but then we carried on through the night listening to David Bowie on the intercom. No one could get to sleep though and when we stopped for toilets at around 1am, everyone got out and had a look around.

We passe through Lyon at about 2.30am and pulled into a coach depot at 3am to change drivers and courier. Throught the night we went. I only got about 3 and a half hours sleep.

Friday 2nd September
Passed though the Spanish boarder at about 8am and finally stopped at a service station for breakfast at 8.15am. I had a croissant with butter and jam with coffee and a ham sandwich.

We arrived in Pineda after going through a bit more hilly country, catching glimpses of the Mediterranean. We went into the lounge of the hotel Mont Palau and the manager told us the rooms would not be ready for half an hour. We had a coffee in their cafe an then had a look around the market in the square opposite. I bought a wallet for 7.35Ps (£1=2.20Ps). Then we went back to the hotel and got ready for lunch at 1pm.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g644329-d579844-Reviews-Hotel_Checkin_Mont_Palau-Pineda_de_Mar_Catalonia.html

First we had a small salad, then some butter beans in a gravy, then a nice piece of steak, then ice cream. We also had a bottle of water which was v good. We were told by our courier about a champagne welcome party for us at 11.45am the next day which I am looking forward to. We ealked down to the beach in hot sunshine to see what it was like. After that we went back to the hotel and I had a sleep.

Dinner was chicken soup, then ham and mashed potato with carrots, peas and beans then ice cream and half a bottle of wine. Afterwards we went into the square and had a coffee at an open air table. After a while a band started playing. We watched an artist doing someone's portrait in pastel.

Saturday 3rd September
Woke up the next day at 8.20am, had a croissant then bread roll with butter and jam plus coffee for breakfast. Went down to the beach for a swim. V steep drop-off with a strong current.

https://www.visitpineda.com/en/discover-pineda/beaches/the-pines-beach/

 Weather not too hot, cloudy. Lay on sun bed until 11.30 then went back to the hotel. The courier took us to a cafe where we had Sangria. She told us about excursions. Went back to the hotel for lunch which was a small salad with yellow rice and meat. Then a piece of pork and chips, then ice cream. Later in the afternoon we walked along the front to Callela which took about 25-30 minutes. We walked down the shop-filled streets and stopped at a cafe.

https://www.redbubble.com/people/paulpasco/works/6139757-the-sea-front-of-callela-costa-brava-spain

I had a big ice cream sundae 2.50Ps. We got the train back to Pineda. For dinner we had a vegetable soup with bits of spaghetti in [Minestrone], then ravioli, then omlette with tomato and ice cream. Afterwards went into the square, had coffee and watched the artist again.

Sunday 4th September
Woke up at 8 O'Clock. Breakfast was a croissant, bread rol with butter and strawberry jam and tea. Walked to Montemas and Stella hotels to look at their swimming pools but the water was too cold. Went to the beach where the same came out and sunbathed then went for a swim. Came back for lunch which was salad, macaroni, chicken and chips and then melon.

Afterwards we got a train to Malgrat de Mar up the coast (opposite way to Callela). As it was a Sunday all the shops were shut but we stopped at a cafe for a Spanish beer (strong). Later on we came across a restaurant and i bought myself a big piece of gateau 1.50Ps. Walked along the front and got the 5.45pm train back to Pineda.

https://www.harryshaw.co.uk/spain/malgrat-de-mar/

For dinner we had minestrone soup, then pork in gravy and Russian potato salad, then ice cream. Went to the cafe in the square. I had a Bacardi & Coke while mum, Stephen and dad had big ice creams.

Monday 5th September
Woke up at 8.20. For breakfast I had a croissant, bread roll and butter with peach jam and two cups of coffee. Went down to the beach and sunbathed a while then swam in the sea. Hired a paddle boat and went out into the bay for 1hr 3.50Ps. Came back for lunch which was salad, then lentil stew with chunks of meat, then creme caramel. In the afternoon we got the boat to Blanes. When we got off at the harbour we saw a small bus and found it was taaking people a 10 minute ride to some gardens.

https://www.clubvillamar.com/blog/spain/were-your-helpful-guide-with-our-top-10-of-blanes/

We got in and had a nice walk around the gardens. Lots of palms and cactus and good views along the coast. It was very hot and sunny.

https://brabik.com/city/blanes/listing/botanic-marimurtra-garden/

Came back to the town and had a beer and a piece of strawberry flan at a restaurant. Then walked along the front and up one or two streets before walking back to catch our boat. It was windy now and cooler. For dinner, later than usual, we had mushroom soup, fish and cabbage, then lentils in a gravy stew then ice cream and 1/2 bottle of rose wine. Afterwards we had a look down the main street then had a coffee and piece of strawberry gateau.

Tuesday 6th September
Woke up at 7.35, breakfast at 8; croissant, roll with butter and green gage jam and coffee. Picked up a pack lunch and walked to a garage to catch the coach to Monserrat (Benedictine Monastery). V hot day. The coach went via Callela to pick up more people. Passed the oldest railway station in Spain (1826 - Montaro). Through Alella (famous wine place) and climbed to the foot of the Monserrat mountain and stopped for coffee. We carried on along a small road with lots of hairpin bends to the top where we could see lots of other coaches.

https://www.viator.com/tours/Barcelona/Montserrat-tour/d562-9866P26

 First had a look in the church.Dark inside, lit only by small lanterns carved out of wood, each different. Saw the Black Madonna high above the altar and cross. At the other end was a large round window.

Went back to the cafe for our packed lunch and water. Afterwards had a look around the shops. Not enough time to go on the funicular railway to the very top of the mountain. Back on the coach at 2.30, down a different way to see wind-carved rocks - Elephant face and Camel. Then back on the level we stopped a while for liqueur tasting. Paid 50Ps for a small glass, then went around the different barrels. Had a coffee then i bought a bottle of my favourate - Muscatel 275Ps. Back on the coach.

Half an hour later we stopped again at a 'Champagne' factory which has the largest Champagne storage cellars in the world 15m below ground. Saw millions of bottles at various stages (takes 4-6 years) of making Champagne. First white wine is put in bottles and stood on end to let sediment get to the neck of the bottle. Then the neck is frozen and the sediment bit is taken out. Now the special ingredient which makes Champagne different from wine is added and the bottle is full again. Now it is put in racks of 500 and each daythe bottles are turned 1/8th. Saw the prepared bottles go along conveyor belts being corked, wired, capped and labelled and put in boxes.

Then unexpectedly we were offered a glass which was Rondel and really good, although not proper Champagne. Stephen bought a bottle and got a pack of postcards of the factory free. Back on the coach, the courier asked us if we would like to go back through Barcelona, so we did. Went along most of the longest street (12Km). Saw Barcelona football ground and the bull ring. Then we went back onto the coast road, through Calella.

Washed my hair. Dinner was a thin soup with bits of pasta in, then potato omlette [Frittata?] with green beans and ham. Then ice cream. Afterwards we had a look around the shops and had coffee at a different place.

Wednesday 7th September
Breakfast - croissant, bread roll with butter and peach jam and coffee. Went down to the beach then back for lunch. It was very hot. Salad, then a rice and meat dish, then braising steak, then caramel. We caught the train to Callela and walked around the shops. Stopped at Hotel Gardia for a Bacardi and coke and a piece of cake. Walked back to Pineda and had a lemon drink in the Mont Palau restaurant. Dinner was Asparagas soup, then scrambled egg in a sauce with a hamburger, and caramel.

Thursday 8th September
Breakfast - croissant, bread roll with butter and peach jam and coffee. V hot day. Caught the train to Barcelona (1hr). Walked around, went in a church - lots of separate chapels around the edge, one with a black madonna in. Stopped in a square with fountains for our lunch.

https://www.barcelona-life.com/placa-catalunya

  Went up to the ninth floor of a department store for a drink and saw the eight spired Cathederal - not yet finished [Sagrada Familia].

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/132715520254710087/

It was started 100 years ago and it was planned to put up 12 spires, one for each of the disciples.
Went down the Ramblas - nothing special, most places closed. Stopped in a restaurant for another drink before heading back for the train. We were told platform one for Pineda, so we went there and saw a train. After a while though when no one else got on we decided to ask a porter and he pointed us round behind the station. When we got there we found our train on platform 1, but this was a separate station.

Got back OK. Dinner was chicken soup with rice, then peas and chopped meat, then bacon and eggs, then ice cream. Walked around and had coffee in the square.

Friday 9th September
Breakfast - croissant, bread roll and butter with strawberry jam and tea. Went out to have a look round the market.

https://lapinedaplatja.info/en/item/mercadets-fires/

I bought a t-shirt (350Ps), handkerchiefs (150Ps for three) and a belt (500Ps). Had coffee at the Mont Palau restuarant. Lunch was salad and meat, then butter beans, then pork in a sauce. Then caramel to finish (same as last week). In the afternoon we went on the beach, the sea was quite rough. Got sunburnt, came back and had a shower. Dinner was meaty flavoured soup, then potato with tomato sauce, a piece of ham with beans artichokes and cauliflower, then ice cream. After we went to the Montemar Hotel and listened to a dance band and had some Sangria.



Saturday 10th September
Breakfast - croissant, bread roll and butter with peach jam and tea. Went to the beach. The sea was rough again with large waves. Came back washed my hair, had lunch - salad, spaghetti in tomato sauce, then steak and chips, finished with caramel. In the afternoon we took the train to Blanes. When we got there however, the weather had clouded over. Unlike Malgrat or Calella, the station was not on the coast, so we had to get a bus. Then as it was about 4 O'Clock we went along to the harbour to see the fish market, but could not see anything. We went in the same restaurant as the last time we visited for coffee and a piece of cake. All around us people were eating Paella at a wedding reception. There were restaurants full of guests.

Then had a look around the shops before getting the bus back to the station - a few drops of rain fell.
Dinner was soup with bits of pasta in, then fish with cabbage and caramel. After we went to the square and had coffee.

Sunday 11th September
Got up 7.30am to catch the coach at 8.35am to Torrades, the biggest market in Catalunya. Looked around, had a coffee, then back on the coach. Stopped at a place for wine and licqueuer tasting. Lunch was a salad, savoury rice, then chicken and crisps, then ice cream. Then had a sleep. Weather cloudy, not warm. Decided to go to Malgrat by train. When we got there however it started raining so we rushed into the Milan cafeteria where we had been before and had a coffee and lemon gateau.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g642220-d1590242-i22597902-Cafeteria_Milan-Malgrat_de_Mar_Catalonia.html

While we were there it started pouring with rain. Th glass doors had to be closed. In the street, water was flowing like a river as there were no drains. At one point water came in through the patio doors and the waiters had to go out and put towels down and sweep the water away. When the rain eased we ran back to the station. When we got back to Pineda, we could see that they had not had a single drop of rain though it was only three miles away.

As we walked up the main street we heard sounds of music. In the square there was a band playing traditional music and people were dancing. As we watched, real Catalonian dancers appeared in costume and did a small dance.

https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/cultural/dancing/catalan-dancing-sardana.html

After that however they paraded down the street. I ran after them and took photos before they went into a hall to do a proper show. Although we could have gone in, we decided to go back for dinner.
We had soup with ricein, then ravioli, then a potato omlette, then caramel. Afterwards had a walk about then had coffee in the Jijonenca restuarant.

Monday 12th September
Started off cloudy, but we went down to the beach to have a swim. There was no one else there because it was cold, but the sea was calm and felt quite warm. I had a good swim then changed. Then Stephen and I went into the arcade and played pool. I won. Lunch was salad, macaroni in tomato sauce, then meat stew and melon. Afterwards we caught the train to Tossa. As the railway only went as far as Blanes, we got on a bendy bus to Lloret de Mar. From there we got on a coach and went the 12Km on a nice scenic route to Tossa de Mar.

https://www.estrelladamm.com/en/the-guide/spots/tossa-de-mar

The sun came out and we stopped at a Wimpy for a Bacardi and coke and a piece of strawberry cake and cream. Then looked around before getting the bus back. Dinner, probably the same as last week. Aftewards went to the Jijonenca and I had an Alaska - massive ice cream. Played pool until 10.30pm.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g494960-d8415209-r372419423-La_Jijonenca-Lloret_de_Mar_Costa_Brava_Province_of_Girona_Catalonia.html#photos;geo=494960&detail=8415209&aggregationId=101

Tuesday 13th September
Breakfast - croissant, roll and butter with jam and coffee. Got packed, had to be out of the rooms by 10am. Went into the restaurant for coffee. New lot of tourists arrived by coach at 11am. Played pool til lunch. Salad, steak and chips, then              , then caramel. In the afternoon played pool, had a coffee and piece of cake. Coach arrived and we set off at 6pm. Arrived Montpellier for dinner. I had rabbit in a sauce with mixed vegetables 31.7Fr. Stopped at  depot near Lyon around 1am to change drivers. Simon and Garfunkel music. Went through Paris, saw Eiffel Tower. Got to the airport about 11.30am. Raining. Smooth flight. Raining at Lydd. Had pizza, chips and peas and a cup of tea. Went Rochester, had tea at Norma and Bob's. Set off again, stopped on A1at a Wimpy for a drink. Got back at 12 midnight. OK.

Konnigswinter - Germany August 1982

Friday July 30th

Left home 5.34am for Dover to sail at 1pm. Foggy but bright. Reached Stamford at 7.25am then stopped at a Little Chef at 7.40am for an 'Early Starter' breakfast. Arrived Dover 11.21am. Luckily or not, we arrived early enough to get on the preceeding boat the St Christopher to Calais. The crossing was a little rough. Simon Gnome was on board [no idea - Ed.]. Arrived Calais 14.04pm.

Set off to Dunkirk and arrived after a brief stop for refreshments. Dad and I went to see about accommodation. We found the information building in the form of a belfry, a massive bell tower. We were given a list of hotels in the area and we booked into one behind the belfry. Then when we had unpacked, we looked for a restaurant for a meal. After ages of walking around we stopped for a drink and consulted a list and I found a suitable place. For 45Fr (£1=11.58Fr) I had a ham and mushroom pizza, then grilled steak with runner beans and chips. Finally finished with a chocolate mouse and coffee. Got back to the hotel at about 10pm. I went to bed with the chimes of the belfry and a thunderstorm.

Saturday July 31st
Woke up at half past seven. Breakfast was tea, croissant and bread rolls with strawberry and rhubarb jam. After packing we had a quick look at the beach before heading to Belgium on the E5. The weather was cloudy but the temperature was high and the air was humid. We changed onto the E3 then E39, past Brussells and Gent to Antwerp. Very hot as we stopped for a sandwich lunch. Later on the A4 in Germany we stopped at a service station and i bought myself a bowl of fresh fruit (2.50DM). Then we went on past Cologne, over the Rhine and passed opposite Bonn to Konnigswinter. After a lucky right hand turn we found the Gut Buschoff hotel complex. It was a huge set of buildings, restaurants, pubs, tennis centres.

We walked up two flights of stairs to our rooms. Private toilet and shower, telephone and radio alarm clock, special writing paper and bedside lamps. After a shower we went down to the main restaurant. We had a set lunch - a bowl of ace salad (cucumber, prawn cocktail sauce, sliced turnip, tomato etc.). We thought this was a 'starter', but then a plate of some ace pork in a savoury sauce with mushrooms and runner beans was brought. After that we had ice cream. We took a walk around the grounds and to the ten or so outdoor tennis courts and six indoor as well as squash courts. There were several pubs/restuarants on site, even an English pub.

We looked for skittles as promised in the brochure and after asking we were shown the bowling alley (10DM per hr).Rather weird, you only had one chance at nine skittles but they were on strings and fell independently, so no-one could get nine down.

Sunday August 1st
After not too bad a night I woke up at 8 and got ready for breakfast at half past. Not knowing what to expect, we were suprised to find a table with jams, meat spreads, cheese spreads, cold meats, cheese slices, bread, cornflakes, orange juice, plates and cutlery for you to help yourself. I had a drink of orange juice, a bowl of cornflakes, blackcurrant jam on bread and butter and a ham and cheese sandwich.

After raining pretty heavily in the night, it had stopped. We decided to go to Bonn even though the shops would be shut. We found a car park and walked into the centre precinct which was paved and cars were prohibited. We took a few photos and looked around.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lingz/32699391132/

For lunch we eventually decided on a value for money snack of a giant hamburger avec cheese, salad, chips and coffee £1.50 each.

https://trip101.com/article/spend-a-sunday-in-bonn-germany-like-the-locals

Later on in the afternoon the sun came out and it got quite hot. Dad bought us an ice cream, then we took the car and went down to the Rhine and watched the barges go by. Got back to the hotel about 6pm and after a shower and change, went down for dinner. We had soup - thin like gravy with meat in it, very tasty -then chicken in a sauce with rice. Afterwards we played tennis.

Monday 2nd August
For breakfast I had a cherry yoghurt, boiled egg, sliced ham & cheese on bread, tea, orange juice and bread with recurrant jam and apricot jam. Afterwards we went into Konnigswinter and looked around. It was very hot. Had homemade lunch then afterwards had a nice walk along the Rhine to Bad Honnef. As it was two miles or more we were v thirsty and glad to find a cafe open on an offshore island that could be reached by footbridge.

https://www.goosmann-ferienwohnung.de/bad-honnef/

I bought myself a piece of Gooseberry cake 2.50DM. I had the idea of getting a cruiser back to Konnigswinter and as it only took 20 minutes, it was easier and nice watching the barges go by. For lunch we had an ace salad - potato salad, salami, ham, cheese, red cabbage, asparagus, boiled egg and lettuce - then ice cream to finish. Afterwards mum, Stephen and I went on a walk behind the tennis courts. We went through the forest then round some fields of cows. I thought of giving an apple to one from the many trees around us. A calf wandered towards the fence when it saw us and walked between the wire and on to the track. We got behind it and eventually pushed it back through the fence. When we got back it was quite dark, so we had a drink and then went to bed [what happened to tea? - Ed]. V hot at night.

Tuesday 3rd August
For breakfast I had cornflakes, orange juice, boiled egg, smoked ham, another cold meat, cheese, cherry and redcurrant jam on bread and tea. We then rushed off to catch a cruise from Konnigswinter down the Rhine to Bad Breisig.

https://gruppenreise-navi.com/en/search/region-search/der-rhein-von-koeln-bis-koblenz-siebengebirge-rhein-sieg-kreis/1916-tourist-information-bad-breisig/booking

It was very hot, so we sat down on the second deck under cover at a table. We went up on deck from time to time to feel the warm air and take photos. When we got to Bad Breisig however we decided to go further on to Andernach.

https://www.geysir-andernach.de/en/geysir-besuch/in-andernach/

We looked around the town and I had a drink of milk and a cake. I bought some thin chicken soup 3.90DM and i got a free sample of aftershave in a bottle. Then we caught the 3.30pm boat back. For dinner we had thin soup, then beef, chips, peas, carrots, onions and asparagus. Then suprisingly we got some ice cream as well. Afterwards we had an apple cake an then i read for a while before going to bed.

Wednesday 4th August
For breakfast I had orange juice, raspberry yoghurt, ham, cheese and pork sandwiches then bramble and redcurrant jam on bread with tea. We reached BadGodesburg station after crossing the Rhine on a car ferry. Then we took the train to Cologne (Koln). The station was just outside the Cathederal, so we went there first.

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_Cathedral

It had a cery high ceiling but only a few stainrd glass windows. At one end there was a big gold casket [The Shrine of the Magi - see https://www.cologne-tourism.com/see-experience/cologne-cathedral/interior/].

When we came out, we were in the main shopping area, a pedestrian-only street with lots of shops of many kinds. We first of all went into the famous 4711 shop which sells exclusive perfumes and toiletries. I bought some soap for nanny and got a free bottle of aftershave aswell.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4711

After ages walking through the shopping area we turned off the beaten track a little and found a restaurant (1.45pm) where I had a chicken and pineapple salad. After that we saw another 4711 shop and went in for a look around. Then we went to a good restaurant and had an ace piece of gateau and three cups of tea. After that we went back to the station and after a half hour wait we got the train back.

For dinner we had tomato soup and cream, then some meat, boiled potatoes and some kind of green in a thin sauce. Then green and pink ice cream. Afterwards there was a thunderstorm but that decreased the temperature and I got a better night's sleep.

Thursday 5th August
It was raining when i awoke at 7.57am and after the same breakfast with an 'all fruits' yoghurt and no egg, it was still raining, so we stayed in until about 11am, listening to BFBS on the radio. We set off for Linz and caught the car ferry across the Rhine and started up the Ahr valley, a good wine area we were told.

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/germany/articles/best-wine-tasting-tours-ahr-valley-germany/

There were vineyards everywhere. After a picnic lunch, we went further on and the weather brightened up and we stopped at a place called Altenahr where we bought a bottle of wine 'mit pradikitt'.

http://www.travelandlifestylediaries.com/2015/10/wine-shopping-in-wine-village-of.html

We walked on through gift shops until we came to a chair lift, so Stephen and I decided to go up it even though it was still misty. Afterwards we came down and had a piece of fruit and cream flan. On the way back we stopped at Unkel for a look round and bought another bottle of wine.

For dinner we had chicken and rice in a mushroom sauce and ice cream.

Friday 6th August
For breakfast I had cornflakes, orange juice, a ham, pork and cheese sandwich, then bramble and strawberry jam on bread with tea. Set off to Bonn and parked in the underground. We came up some stairs straight into one of the main squares. Immediately we saw a fruit and veg market and had a look around. There were many different types of produce like artichokes and long white turnips. The smell of the ripe fruit was strong. It was also the last day of the sales so Stephen and I bought some 25p handkerchiefs after looking round the shops and stalls.

We had lunch in a fish bar and afterwards we bought some things from a chocolate shop. Then we went to a good restaurant and sat outside and had an ice cream. I had oranjuice mixed with rum on a vanilla ice cream. After that we went down to the river an sat watching the boats, before goingback to the hotel. After a shower we came down for dinner. It was a thin meat and vegetable soup, then omlette, mushrooms and chips. We packed a little afterwards then came down and talked with the Wrights. Went to bed about 11pm and after a 'not bad' night, woke up to the sound of the radio at 7.20am.


Saturday 7th August
Went for breakfast at 8am. I had Cornflakes, orange juice, boiled egg, then bread and honey and tea. Then we packed the suitcases into the boot and set off to the supermarket to spend any change we had.

We took the A59 to Cologne, then onto the E4 for a while before getting on the E41 into Belgium and near Liege. The weather was pretty bad now with fog. Then we joined the E5 for a while before rejoining the E41 then stopped for a picnic lunch at about 1pm and by then the weather was brightening up and we joined the E10. The sun got hotter the further we went on. Joined the A16 to Lille.