The more religious may go to church, but this Bank Holiday is mainly about taking a bit of time to relax with friends and family and enjoy a (nother) long weekend.
We are very lucky here in the P-O to be able to pop over into Spain at the drop of a hat. However, it’s never a bad idea to re-read some of the letters and comments sent in from our readers and take a few precautions before heading south..
Still worth the fabulous walk or drive…..but you’ll have to do without the lunch until Covid restrictions allow the restaurants to open again.
The first midsummer fire on Canigou in modern times was lit on 23 June 1955 by Francois Poujade and fellow USAP rugby fanatics – both to celebrate his birthday and Perpignan’s victory over FC Lourdes in the Yves du Manoir Challenge cup.
Back in medieval times Collioure’s reputation revolved around the salting of anchovies, sardines and tuna.
Out for the Day… in Eyne, the Valley of Flowers. Need a tonic? How about fresh mountain air, kaleidoscopes of wild flowers, serene mouflon and shy izzards grazing, bubbling water features, bumblebees, butterflies and beetles, maybe even a little late snow?
Le Chateau de Castelnou originally re-opened to the public in 2021 after a four-year closure due to safety issues.
At this time of year the P-O transforms into a kaleidoscope of wildflowers. Lesley McLaren takes us through a few of the more common ones to be found in the verges, hedgerows and rocky slopes of the Albères and Vallespir.
On a plateau of the Corbières, near Salses, with panoramic views of sea and lagoon, visible from the A9 motorway and the N9, stands the “Porta dels Països Catalans”, or ‘Gate to the Catalan Countries’.
Rasiguères and rosé – the alliteration is a fortunate coincidence for this village of vignerons. Though the quality of the wine speaks for itself.