September 2011 - Spain and France - Day 6 : Hot or what ? (209 miles)

We left Carcassonne on time at just after 8:30am, not having had breakfast. The plan was to head east towards Narbonne and then come down the coast. We had consciously avoided the autoroute and used the (lightly trafficked) N113. We arrived at the Mediterranean coast and searched for a café - easier said than done; however we found a little place and I went to the Boulangerie to buy pain au chocolat and croissants.

We had decided not to enter the city of Perpignan and so headed for the small seaside resort of Collioure, south of Perpignan and within just a few miles of the Spanish border. We had a seafood feast which was not exactly cheap; however I did enjoy the oysters !

The day had started with clear skis and so it continued. As we set off again, we noted that the temperature was now up to 28C and a little later was 30C. We filled up with petrol and headed directly for the start of the route towards Tarascon sur Ariège. A few miles prior to the turn off for the Col route, Dave suggested that he and Janet make a direct route to Tarascon as he felt he had had enough. So we separated and agreed to meet in the town in separate hotels but very close by.

My route was up and over the Col de Pailheres and it was quite challenging; why ? Because the road itself was extremely narrow and this, combined with tight, steep uphill hairpins was a little hair-raising, as staying on one’s side of the road was almost impossible. Dave would not have appreciated this Col and, in that respect alone, I was pleased that he had chosen the “GT style” main road which, incidentally, he confirmed as really fabulous!

I arrived in Tarascon sur Ariège at just after 6pm and checked in; only to find that I had already booked for Dave, Janet and I; I would now be liable to pay for both rooms ! Luckily though, the room was easily re-let so all was well. Both my hotel (Le Confort and Dave’s - La Poste) are on the banks of the Ariège river and we each had beers sitting outside. The sun was setting and the temperature was a very pleasant 22C.

We had an evening meal together in a simple river side restaurant and decided that a Pizza was jsut what was required; washed down with cheap but acceptable rosé wine. The plan for tomorrow is to head south on the N20 and into the principality of Andora; then into Spain and the N260 where we shall branch north west and head for France again all, or for the most part, we hope on GT style roads (i.e. not small, tight, twisty roads with multiple hairpins!).

I am writing this on Wednesday morning; the Wi-Fi internet connection at the hotel doesn’t work and so I shall have to wait until this evening when we shall be at Phil and Belinda’s place once again. We are there for 2 nights and I am sure that Dave and Janet will appreciate the comfort and hospitality offered. However, before that, we have approx. 200 miles of riding; I am anxious though, because if the riding is too challenging, we won’t be able to simply “turn round” .....