First swim of the year

This morning at 8.30 with a few bemused 'Cerberians' looking on . . . the water was about 18 degrees, I think, but certainly above the extremities-freeze point.
After breakfast, I walked up to the lighthouse point and looked across to, Port de La Selva and Le cap de Creus, the atmosphere bright and clear, and, NO wind - quite unusual for this particular point of land. The early spring brought much rain and the resulting wild flower carpet of pink, yellow, lilac and white was truly beautiful.
This afternoon I may take the one euro bus and visit Collioure - a good time to go before the crowds start appearing in May onwards. Or I might just sit, drink tea and read in the deckchair that has been languishing on our terrace through the winter . . .

Update: I did go to Collioure on the one euro bus - a vertiginous route of about 45 mins, and came back on the train: a straight, relaxing journey of 15 minutes, with equally lovely views - cost three euros 75. Personally, I'd not buy a beer/ice cream and go for the quick ride.
Collioure was, as ever, absurdly pretty, hence the buses of tourists already arriving - I'd thought it might still be out of season, but I enjoyed rambling around the old streets and this time went up to the old restored windmill which is well worth the small trek, for the mill itself and the wonderful views.
Back in the main town, I had a cup of tea, earwigged the various conversations around me, sketched the harbour and returned to Cerbère where there were about three people on the beach and no nicknacks or ice-cream.

View from the walk up to the Cerbère lighthouse

Looking towards Le Cap de Creus in Spain

View of Collioure from near the windmill

my favourite Collioure house

Ceramic lizard souvenirs 

Early April in and around Cerbère

The Tramontana wind was whipping around the streets of the town when we arrived causing the singing railings to really do their full repertoire. Braving the elements after settling into the flat, we walked up into the pine forests at the back of Cerbère and observed the after-rain mass of wild flowers, some I've never seen on previous Spring visits.



The sea was a myriad of blues from deep aqua to violet, the waves topped with flecks of white, and the sky a mass of white clouds against vivid blue, moving swiftly from the direction of snow-covered Canigou mountain.



View from above Cerbère when the wind had dropped - a bit . . .



Platane trees near Cerbère church in the last light.

We returned to the town centre, bought supplies, cooked ratatouille back at the flat and settled down for an evening of reading which rapidly turned into sleeping after the drive, wind and sea air.

The following day was a time of discovery of 'what's over the border' a bit more. I'd been to Port de la Selva before but Mark hadn't so that was the objective, except we never got there, distracted by an extraordinary building on top of a hill. I turned left, followed a small road and ended up in a little village called La Vall de Creu.
Mark, seeing a challenge, donned his walking boots and set off to walk to the perched building (in fact the ancient Benedictine monastery of St Pere de Rodes). I followed for a while and then went back to explore the village which had a beautiful source dated 17 something (other carved numbers sadly part-covered by some bit of crap plumbing) and a lovely stone church - sadly, not open.
After walking and exploring, we returned to Cerbère via the Voramar restaurant in Port Bou. Mark had been there before and wanted me to experience the food and ambience. Fantastic! Anyone visiting this area should book a table: amazing: very reasonably-priced food, beautifully presented by welcoming, polite staff wearing black gloves . . .

                        

                              The tiny church at La Vall de Creu



                     Wild lupins

                            

                                                     Port Selva from the valley at Val de Creu



Mark's main course of Dorade fillet at the Voramar