A Visit to Palace Maricel in Sitges

An easier day with no rail travel and just a walk from our Villa to the town centre in Sitges. We passed this bay nearby where we are staying and it was full of surfers. Leo counted 67 of them. The weather was wet most of the morning but cleared up for our walk to the palace.

The Palace Maricel is in the town centre and we had a guided tour in English with a young guide whose English was good but she had such a quiet voice that Gaye could not hear a word she said and most others struggled as well.

This is on the top floor overlooking the sea. 

Leo and Tommy are great pals.

 

This three were quite well behaved despite it being a bit boring for them 

On our return home we at last managed a family photograph before Mario heads back to Newcastle as he has to be back at work on Monday.

Sagrada Família in Barcelona

An early start from Sitges Railway Station this morning and Gaye is loving having her grandchildren to keep her company, Elliot would not come in the photo as he prefers to keep Granny Gaye to himself. 

Our first view of The Bacilica Sagrada Familia and it was mobbed with people. 

No photos can really do it justice as the light from the Stained Glass Windows is just magnificent 

This was my favourite window but my photo just does not capture the splendour of the light flowing through this window

These three together with Fraser and Leslie and Tommy & Eleanor went up in the lift to the tower while Gaye and I looked after Elliot. They walked down the 400 steps and found it a spectacular experience

A Few Hours on the Beach followed by Tapas

A nice morning but not too hot so a couple of hours on the beach was as long as we could suffer before the sand got everywhere. The kids enjoyed themselves though.

Its a lovely beach and kept very clean 

Hannah and Eleanor enjoyed themselves

The beach was followed by Tapas at a restaurant just beside the beach.

The walk home for some of us while the rest came back in the car 

The boys enjoyed a small play park

Arrived in Sitges

We all arrived in Sitges on Saturday, but Fraser and family were delayed by a few hours and then missed a train connection  between the Airport and Sitges so they were very tired when they arrived. Elliot went to bed immediately on arrival and slept almost 14 hours but the rest of them were up very early and had disturbed sleep. I went for a 3 mile walk with Fraser and Leslie and when we got back Elliot was still sleeping.

In the afternoon we headed into the town for a walk along the beach

Hannah & Eleanor braved the sea

The pool was too cold for swimming but good to dip your toes in.

A photo for the family files and the first one of all 5 grandchildren together. It was the start of an Easter Egg Hunt organised by Leo.

Elliot was very pleased with his find.

Eleanor and Leo were the only ones brave enough to go into the pool, although not for very long.

Sunday morning and I went off on my own for a 3 mile walk round the Marina

There were some magnificent boats in the Marina.

Walking the Umbrella Walk for the Buccleuch Centre

Today along with Iona Butlin and Ian Graham we walked the Langholm Rotary Club Umbrella Walk to raise money for The Buccleuch Centre. Iona and Ian photographed here with Frankie Steele who was acting as a marshall for the event.

Some of the walkers along the Potholm road

Langholm Cricket Club walked in full gear in aid of the Cricket Club

The three walkers raising money for The Buccleuch Centre and we raised £190 which will be added to by three local trusts that support the walk plus Gift Aid so we have had a very successful event. There were 195 walkers at Langholm and about 40 at Canonbie so I think it could be a record year with between £13K-£15K raised for over 20 different organisations in the community. This is a great legacy from my late good friend Alastair Davies who thought up the idea many years ago and Langholm & Canonbie walkers have raised well over £100K since he started it.

The Canonbie Walk Yet Again

We had planned a walk along the River Annan but Tom had to put signs up for the Langholm Rotary Club Canonbie Umbrella Walk on Saturday so he insisted we helped him with this. Once again it caused many arguments but Tom managed to get his own way almost all of the time. I hope Langholm Rotary Club appreciate how much work he has done in preparing this walk. 

John and myself at the Meeting of the Waters after having cursed Tom for the last 2 miles but its just water of a Duck's back and it certainly makes for an interesting walk.

The final set of way markers where to be honest none were needed as there is no other way to go but then as usual Tom wins the argument. 

A fallen tree across the path so I will send this to the Access Officer at D & G Council to see if it can be removed fairly soon.  

Another land slip at the Dead Nook Pool 

As always at Canonbie we time our walk to finish in time for the Community Cafe opening and enjoy Tea, Scone, and Cake for a very reasonable price. 

Martin's Birthday Walk on the Cross Border Drove Road

We all met up in Peebles for Martin's Birthday Walk which took us up Hamilton Hill and then onto the Cross Border Drove road. Unfortunately John had to call off at the last minute as he had to take his daughter for a hospital appointment.

Elizabeth and Tom crossing the Tweed. We must get Tom a new hat as this one is about 20 years past its sell by date.

Neidpath Castle which looks like it is now closed to the public 

Martin and Tom having yet another discussion about the route we should be going. I should add that Martin is nearly always right and Tom is very often wrong.

Martin leads the way through one of the many snowdrifts 

Elizabeth tackling the snowdrift with ease

After a steady climb we reach the plateau of Hamilton Hill

Despite all the snow of the last 10 days it was amazing how dry the hill was. It looks as if all the snow blew off the hill into the sheltered dykes and the Cross Border Drove Road which was full of snow 

We are now on The Cross Border Drove Road and in deep snow 

Heading through the woods before we reach the top of Hamilton Hill 

Sandria and Elizabeth can talk and walk with great ease

The toughest part of the Cross Border Drove Road 

Elizabeth celebrates getting out of the snowdrifts. We were soon back in Peebles and enjoying a lovely meal in Osso's Restaurant.