A Visit to Montserrat Monastery and Basilica

As Fraser had hired a larger car we headed off to Montserrat Monastery and Basilica which was about a 50 minute drive from our Villa at Sitges. Fiona and the kids and Gaye decided to stay in Sitges as there were just too many hills for Gaye. The first thing we had to do was go up in the cable car which is no problem to the Americans as they use cable cars and ski lifts so often but it had been many years since I was last on one. At the top it was still a lovely warm day and there was lots to see.  

The start of the cable car journey. There is also a rack and pinion railway to the top and when we reached the top we were astonished to find lots of cars there so there must be a road for the people who work there. I think they use a tunnel and road from the other side of the mountain. 

Getting higher

This is the top and the main viewing area with the station for the railway on the left 

The main building and Basilica where at 1.00pm there was a boys choir sang for about 15 minutes 

Looking down the mountain

Thomas, Elliot, and Eleanor sitting in the main square  

The entrance to the Basilica 

The top of the mountain

A rare occasion for Fraser and me to be photographed together. It might be a long time before we are together again 

A small Chapel up the mountain

Elliot and his Granddad

The Funicular Railway from the mountain top. It was an excellent day and one of the best places I have ever been to. We did have a couple of panics during the day with Fraser leaving his rucksack in a cafeteria in the morning and then when we came down the Funicular Eleanor discovered she had left her rucksack at the top. The staff were brilliant and looked after Elliot for a few minutes while Fraser and Eleanor went back up free of charge until I could arrive to collect him.