It’s a rainy day today on the usually sunny Costa Blanca here in Spain. A good day to sit and write a blog page or two. 😃

It was the 26th September when we headed south once more towards the foothills of the Pyrenees and the town of Lourdes.

The journey was one of ever changing scenery. We travelled through forests on long straight roads and out into the open countryside. This was followed by winding roads through the foothills of the Pyrenees with wonderful views of the mountains beyond.

We arrived at our destination, Campsite Sites et Paysages la Forêt. The staff in reception were very helpful and friendly and we were soon settled on our pitch. The site was great. It had a lovely swimming pool, bar and restaurant, a small shop with fresh bread for morning (order the day before) and the toilet/shower facilities were very clean. There was a bus 4 times a day into the centre of Lourdes from the campsite gate but we cycled in each time. Going into town was all downhill so the return journey made me so happy about our electric bike purchases earlier in the year.

The following morning after breakfast we decided to cycle down into Lourdes. It was downhill all the way and the brakes on the bikes were well tested! We were soon at an entrance gate for The Sanctuary. With the bikes locked up we entered into a huge green and peaceful area. I was amazed as everyone had told me how busy and tacky Lourdes had become. This was totally the opposite!

 

If you do not know the story, the Virgin Mary appeared to Marie Bernadette Soubirous, a local millers daughter, eighteen times. She instructed her to drink the water of a spring, to wash in it and eat the herbs that grew there. The next day clear water flowed from the muddy spring. Bernadette would later be instructed to have a chapel and hospital built. The water is said to have healing powers with many witnesses and stories of its power. Today over 5 million pilgrims a year travel to the Sanctuary to pray and drink the miraculous water. Contrary to our nieces and nephews teachings, within the site of The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is the Basilique Notre-Dame du Rosaire and not the Rosary Basilica or the Holy Disneyland Castle.

Having told Andy’s Mum where we were we set off with our list of places to visit. We lit candles for my Mum, Andy’s Mum and Dad, Aunty Barbara, Tessa’s friend Dianne and as they say ‘everyone who knows us’.

 

We visited, the grotto where an open air service was taking place and the procession of visitors to touch the rocks was halted. The stone is now smooth from the millions wanting to feel and take in the mystery.

Next stop was the Basilica. The Basilica is made up of three churches on top of each other in relation to the mysteries of the holy rosary.

(Felicity Hawley etal)

 

The underground Basilica (The Basilica of Saint Pius X) was completed in 1958 to commerate the century of the apiritions. On the walls there are 52 images in the gemmail style of overlapping stained glass. On the west ramp are the 15 traditional Mysteries of the Rosary, and on the east ramp are the 15  Stations of the Cross, designed by Denys de Solère. On the lower part of the east side is the series “Bernadette’s Way of Light”, based on sketches by René Margotton, which depict the eighteen apparitions together with two scenes from her life.

 

Outside the Santuary is the town of Lourdes. Two main streets circle the town and guide you to the Sanctuary. Tourist attractions would not be same without Souvenir shops and Lourdes certainly has its share. From candles, rosary beads and statues this place has the lot. We decided on a a beer in the sun opposite the Soubirous family home.

As it was lunch time the holy baths were closed so we headed back to the campsite to bathe in our own pool. With the beauty of the mountains, sunshine, peace and quiet you can see why so many visit this place.

Candles lit, prayers said (we had so many requests for a prayer we never thought we would have time to get back to the pool!) we cycled round the village, passed the numerous candle and rosary shops back to the camp site. (We are now having a discussion on the correct use of the word ‘Past or Passed’ or even the use of the comma after village so all grammer points accepted)

The next morning we took the funicular to the Pic du Jer. Andy’s Mum told us about her trip to the Pic du Jer but she cannot remember if she went by coach or funicular. The top of the peak is now used as the start of downhill cylce races. Unfortunately, or fortunately, we had left our bikes at the bottom.  The views over Lourdes and the surrounding countryside are spectacular.

 

Time to move on again so followed the Pyrenees valley to Ax Les Thermes for an overnight stop enroute to Spain. Our travel plans were to head direct towards Barcelona as we had done last year but when you have all the time in the world and are 20 miles from Andorra it seemed pointless to pass it by. But would the car and caravan safely negotiate the 2,000 metre mountains? With ease is the answer. Andorra roads are well maintained, climb steadily and traffic only stops at the border.

Petrol and diesel is about 40 cents (36p) per litre cheaper in Andorra and as a tax haven many French and Spanish visit the principality to stock up in the supermarkets and fuel stations. The main road through Andorra passes the main ski resorts and so a few stops for photos was required.

 

The camp site is situated on the edge of the town Andorra la Vella. Each plot has water and waste and we were offered 3 or 6 amps electric. I ask you, what can you do with 3 amps when the sun goes down at 5pm? Also the electricity supply is reversed earth and live (??!!!).

France and Andorra finally done, it’s time to head for Spain.

‘One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things’.

Andy and Carol