ADIOS ESPANA

Buenos,
For the last time as we move from Taragona to the small town of Frontignan Plage on the French Med.
But before I get on to Taragona I should mention an interesting phenomenon. I have complained on plenty of posts that everything closes down in the afternoon but I have noticed outside many major towns young women sitting at the end of farm tracks, I thought selling Dad's produce. After a couple of sightings I thought they're very good as they seem to have sold all their produce. However, on about the fifth sighting I was suspicious. Even more so on the next day as the young lady was completely naked. These were main roads and would compare to a young lady sitting on the A34 just outside Wilmslow! Not something I've come across but if you otherwise please let me know (for info only.) At least I now know that not all Spanish business closes in the afternoon.
Taragona was a short bus ride from our campsite right on the beach. It's an interesting town with a charming old centre and its' main claim to fame is a large number of reasonably well preserved Roman ruins as we see below at the local forum.

The winding streets reach up to the Cathedral which, Hallelujah, has audio guide by St Bill of Nighy.

There is a walk along the Roman walls.

And views back 5km to our campsite.

The Cathedral  (12th - 14th century) offered little new from the outside or internally,

but we thought the horse on this statue had an interesting face.

Usual old carvings which St Bill tried to make interesting but usually failed.

The cloister gardens were very peaceful as you would expect.

 A day ticket got us round all the Roman sites - a view of the amphitheatre below. Our sightseeing stopped, of course, for lunch which was taken at a modern Spanish restaurant offering a 3 course menu del dia including wine for about 16 Euros which is double the norm but was exquisitely presented and prepared. My love of steak tartare knows no bounds but the chef may have pushed the boundaries a little far this time. I didn't object to the steak sitting on a bed of smoked aubergine but I was a little startled by the topping of brown crabmeat. Not a disaster but perhaps not worth repeating.

The Roman Circus used for chariot racing also had passages are shown below.

Pauline, naturally, is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Probably not the top amphitheatre on my list but quite impressive given the age.

View of the city from the top beach next to our campsite.

Some good walks through a national park next to our campsite.

A view of the Cathedral from the top of the Pretori Roma.

And that was Taragona crossed off our list. So next stop France and more next week.

Thanks to you all for following my ramblings.

Adios

J&P