Another wee holiday with Great Rail Journey’s, to Spain this time.
Monday 26th May 2025
As usual a trip down to London for an overnight stay. All trains on time. The hotel I stayed in The Hub by Premier Inn was not enjoyable, room was basic, no amenities and there was a sound of running water through the pipes during the night.
Tuesday 27th May 2020
The main journey. While sitting in St Pancras I sent a text message to my niece Victoria to wish her a happy birthday, I got a response 6 hours later.London to Paris was normal, 4 of us sitting together were all solo travellers. There are 36 of us altogether on this trip. Transfer to Gare du Lyon took us past all the street markets under the Metro. Full of vegetables, fruit & fish. It’s the parts of Paris “Emily” does not show. Used the toilets at Gare du Lyon cost 1 Euro via card not cash. Then onto a TGV on the lower deck. This train was bound for Barcelona but we got off at Figueras. there we transferred onto a coach for the short trip into Roses and the Hotel Roses Platja. This is at the head of the Costa Brava (the North). The hotel was recently re-furbished. After dropping our bags in our rooms we were back downstairs to have a buffet style meal. Afterwards it was back to our rooms for the night. I felt the room was warm and slept on top of the bedcovers.
Wednesday 28th May 2025
Today was a day of rest. We went a walk along the promenade. I veered off to go to the Pharmacy as I forgot my suntan lotion. I used a proper light crossing to get across the busy main road.Walked further along then veered off to get into the old town with narrow streets and shops, I went into the Spar to get bottled water as there were no refill stations along the prom. Outside La Citadel I fell over, got some help to stand up and sat down a short bit away. Got back to hotel and cleaned up a little bit – magic of a cold sponge – minor change of clothes then down to the main bar area. Had 2 large beers and a chicken sandwich. I took a trip to the loo and walked normally for first time during trip. Earlier I was slow at walking at felt off balance a few times (reason for my fall?). Perhaps the trick is to have 2 large beers for breakfast!
Thursday 29th May 2025
Today started with a coach journey to Ribes Enilac to catch the Nuria Valley Rack Railway into the Pyrenees – the Blue Train – the outside colour of the train. It is a very steep climb up to Nuria hence the “rack” to help pull the train up. there were great views as you went up and try to catch them as you go. At the top you could take a gondola ride up to the top. I didn’t fancy it. I wandered around the complex in this area, walked down to the lake, ate my lunch and shopped for a few things. The journey back down had a women driver – very good. The coach back to Roses seemed quicker than the journey up. Had a go at the stupid shower – not the best in a hotel I’ve ever had. The water comes straight out like a jet and is difficult to control. I think the trick is to get in the bath, pull the sheet along, turn the jet to face the wall, then turn it on.
Friday 30th May 2025
Today is a day trip to Girona. A coach journey of about an hour to the outskirts of the city centre. A few days earlier the local authority banned large groups over 20 being led round by a guide. We had to pretend our group of 35 were not a group. We just bumped into Sean our group leader as we went round. A quick trip to the Tourist Information and got a map with various things pointed out by the staff. I found a few by accident just walking around. Found the Jewish quarter by luck. Found the Steps of Saint Marti, didn’t try them, no handrail, too many but watched a group of girls who ran up to the top and most ran down. Had a coffee at the foot of the steps. Continued walking and had something to eat and drink at L’Arcada on one of the main streets. There were plenty of stalls as it was market day. Returned to the hotel by 3.30.
Saturday 31st May 2025
Early on the coach for the day’s trip to Ancient Besalu, into Figueres and the Dali Museum. Besalu was different. After getting off the coach we waited a few minutes to get on a road train around the town. Some streets were really narrow and twisty, you need to keep you arms inside the open coaches. The train did stop for 5 minutes to enable us to go into the main church. After that it was walking around the narrow streets of this picturesque town. Had a lemon sorbet and cola. Walked across the narrow bridge with it’s portcullis. Then onto the coach to transfer to Figueres about 30 minutes away. There was a chance to wander around a bit but the main purpose was to visit the Dali Museum.Not popular with everyone. Some paintings you could understand most not – too surreal.
Sunday 1st June 2025
Early start this morning, with early breakfast from 7am – before some catering staff had theirs. Then onto the coach for a trip to Riversaltes. We had to bring our passports as they may be needed when we crossed the border. There was a “red” train waiting for us at the station but not the one we expected. On 1st June it is the start of open carriages but, they didn’t have them at the start point. We transferred over to them a couple of stops further up. It was fun, train stopped a few times outside stations, middle of a viaduct was one. One member of the on board crew gave a running commentary in 3 languages, switching from one to another without pause. She didn’t stop talking, when we got off at Axat another member of the team said she talks non stop until she goes to bed. We had lunch in the town, the place opened specially for us as they don’t normally on a Sunday. The coach picked us up outside as we were too lazy to walk all the way back up to the station.
Monday 2nd June 2025
A rest day for me. I didn’t fancy the boat trip. I walked along the promenade in that direction. Boarding on and off is done from a breakwater using steps the go over the rocks and the bow. The boats that do the trip don’t have access to the harbour apparently. Walked round some shops, stopped off for a coffee then around La Cuitadella which is the historical centre of the town. It includes signs of various fortifications – Greek, Roman, military. A very interesting site. Lots of bird life around. Went round the museum (no English translations) and the art gallery. Spent the final night still on top of the bedding as I found the nights warm.
Tuesday 3rd June 2025
A day of travel back to the UK. From Roses to Figueres where we had to wait on security starting to check baggage about 30 minutes before the TGV arrived.The train stopped at the far end of the platform (it as short of carriages, only half of normal). We took up most of our 2 minutes getting along the platform to get into our carriage. This train arrived about 45 minutes late into Gare Du Lyon after stopping to get another 8 carriages added. It took time getting our luggage off. Getting around to the Eurostar was getting tight. Our coach driver said getting ground was “no problem”, he used the bus lanes and forced cyclists to get out the road – they’re not allowed to use. Got to the terminal and at ticket check they were replaced with new seating. The queues to get through security were terrible with people (coloured and asian) joining mid line. When we got through we found our train hadn’t arrived yet. It was delayed as were other trains and it had been going on for a few hours. We eventually left 45 minutes late after they took of carriage and seat reservations. Still managed to make the carriage we were intending to be in, just different seats. Arrived in London an hour late.
