Thursday 1 November was another national holiday for All Saints Day. This is day when life in the village stops and all the families go the cemeteries and decorate their loved ones’ graves with flowers. Needless, to say, the flower seller is at the entrance, no doubt making a fortune in the process. It is a wonderful event and every grave is decorated. Several local families wanted me to see their family graves and join in with their celebrations.

Well! Not much to report really. I am now in a regular routine of study, reading and reflection with the odd visit to the local Taberna! On the whole the weather is good (I’m still wearing ‘T’ shirts).

On Sunday evening I went into a severe depression when Lewis Hamilton didn’t win the world title. I watched it on Spanish TV and the commentators really wanted Alonso to win. It’s just not fair!

I’ll put on more photos at the end of the week.

I've managed to download my photos today. One view of the beach and the other of a 'dead' scooter which appealed to me!

FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER
Today, it rained & rained and rained. The thunder storm lasted 26 hours and dumped three inches of rain on us. The roads were difficult to negotiate. Falling rocks and boulders (some very big) slipped down the banking onto the road from Aigues to the coast. The main celebration for Columbus Day in El Compello (the town on the coast about 9km from Aiques) re-enacting the Moors and the Christians was cancelled. All in all a miserable day!

SATURDAY 13 / SUNDAY 14 OCTOBER / MONDAY 15 OCTOBER

The sun is now shining again. Hooray!!! The shops are now open and the clearing up after the rain begins. I went to the Saturday evening mass in the village church.

THURSDAY 11 OCTOBER

This morning it is raining. Tomorrow, Friday, is another national holiday (this one is Christopher Columbus Day - I'm not sure what the one on Tuesday was) and so the internet access will be shut from Friday to Monday inclusive. Therefore, my next entry will be on Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER
Got on with my study and reflection. Over the last few days, I have read the book 'The Farmer of inglewood Forest' by Elizabeth Helme. It was written in 1796 and well worth a read although needless to say it is no longer in print - although I am sure Amazon or ebay would be able to trace a copy. If you would like a copy of my review of the book and one or details about the life of Elizabeth Helme, then email me on revdesmith@hotmail.com and I will send you a copy.

In the evening I went for a walk towards the mountains. The photo is of Aigues where I am staying. The other photo is of the village church where I went to mass.

After the weekend, and Monday when everything shuts in Spain, and Tuesday which was a Bank Holiday (I think it might have been Columbus Day but I’m not sure) I’ve now been able to get to my internet shop to keep you updated with events.

FRIDAY 5 OCTOBER
Today, we were lazy which was most enjoyable.


SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER

Before it got too hot, Jeremy and I went for a walk from the village into the mountains It was gorgeous and the views fantastic. Returning to the village, we noticed hundreds and thousands of millipedes on the tarmac. It took a lot of concentration to avoid stepping on them. Jeremy reliably informed me that it was their mating season and that is why they were on the tarmac (see photo!)

After joining, Steve and Carol (from Wetheral) at their home, we went to Saturday Evening Mass at the local church.

SUNDAY 7 OCTOBER
We left Aigues early to get Jeremy to Alicante Airport for 9.30am. I was back at Aigues at 10.30am and settled down to my rhythm of study and prayer. It was a lovely sunny day.

MONDAY 8 OCTOBER
After breakfast went for a walk on the outskirts of the village and then returned home.


TUESDAY 9 OCTOBER
Another lovely day. I went for a walk early in the morning before returning for studt etc. Before supper, I went for a drive to Rellu further up the mountains. The light wasn’t great but I took a few photos which I don’t think does the view justice.

TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER
From Ax-les-Thermes, we travelled about 20 miles before we reached Andorra, high up in the Pyrenees. This principality is very small, being about 20 miles by 2 miles, which is a valley. The main source of income is from skiing, tourism and finance. Petrol, diesel, cigarettes and alcohol are very cheap. They speak Andorran which is a mixture of Spanish and French but just seemed liked double dutch to us! Spectacular scenery and gorgeous weather.

Then we continued through the mountains and stayed overnight just south of Barcelona. We had a lovely meal in a local bar where the owners were watching Stuttgard v Barcelona. Of course, we supported Barcelona (Henry plays for them now) and as a result we were given free liquers at half-time. Barcelona won.

WEDNESDAY 3 OCTOBER
Joined the main Mediterranean Coast Road and arrived at Aigues (NW of Alicante) early afternoon. We settled into the flat. It was very warm.

THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER
We took time to get settled in. The weather changed and we had a thunderstorm in the morning. Elsewhere in Spain there had been torrential rain causing a lot of damage in Granada and Seville. I think that Jeremy and I should be appointed chief rain-makers for the UN as wherever we travel in the world, there seems to be unexpected rain. During the afternoon, the weather gradually improved until the sun shone again.

I sorted out all my books so that I can begin my study etc. Internet access has been arranged in the nearby town and I can go there whenever I want. However, I will be unable to get there tomorrow as the road will be shut due to a special bike race happening on these mountain roads. So, I guess my next entry will be on Monday.

SUNDAY 30 SEPTEMBER
Went to the Taize Eucharist before setting off South. A lovely sunny day. We stayed the night at a little town about 30 miles north of Montpellier.

MONDAY 1 OCTOBER
Today, we have been tourists! Got up early and continued our journey south. Arrived at Ax-les-Thermes at midday. Ax-les-Thermes is a little spa town nestling in the Pyrenees just before Andorra. We booked in a small hotel (view from the bedroom as photo) for the night and then went exploring.





We followed a road into the Pyrenees up to a mine which was extracting talc in a very big way. Parked the car and walked up the mountain track to about 8000 feet. The views were amazing.













Coming down we were very confused. There were tadpoles in the pool, crocuses flowering, lambs in the field and a temperature of 25C – It must be Spring!!


We had a lovely dinner in town and met a very lively Irish couple - they thought we were fluent in French!!!!