montserrat

montserrat day began with breakfast at il caffe di roma. caught 11.36 R5 which meant that we made it to the basilica of the monastery just in time for the 1pm service. highlight for us was the montserrat boys choir singing ave maria. joined the procession to file past la moreneta, the back virgin. no kissing or touching of the statue for me.
interior reminiscent of opulent palace interiors. blue/gold colour scheme worked well.
steep funicular up to sant joan, over an hour’s walk to the sant jeroni hermitage and onto the summit of the mountain at 1300m. last stretch up was punishing, continuous stretch of steps upwards. felt good to be on summit with plains before us and the peaks looming about us. eroded features supposed to include pregnant woman, elephant, skullhead and phallic symbol. by the time we got back to sant joan, it was almost 5. shocked to learn last funicular had just left, though it was supposed to leave at 5.35. had to walk down another 30min or so on the road. tired out from experience.
dropped off stuff at pensione before heading to madrid-barcelona for dinner (across the street from hostal de rita). festival of shellfish was very good including mussels, cockles, and even razor back clam. potatoes with egg and anchovies too fried/oily. chocolate mousse with orange sauce good. came to €13 a head.
have showered. looking forward to bed.
(wy helped to get anti-histamines from pharmacist in the morning, €3.85, no blocked nose now.)