Friday, 21 May 2010

May 12th-17th: Tarragona

Javea to Tarragona is around 230 miles, not a huge distance, but there’s a slight change in climate: it’s a little cooler. The site is about 5 miles from Tarragona, on a headland with direct access to the sandy beach. One standard holiday beach photo coming up.
Being a beach site, it’s really geared for the summer holidays, when the prices soar. In common with most campsites, they offer 30% to 50% off-peak discounts to attract the limited supply of clients.
Even better, from the campers’ angle, many sites participate in the ACSI scheme. This offers even larger out-of-season discounts. To obtain these special prices campers need to buy the ACSI book (£11.50) that contains a list of all member sites and also a membership card. Then, all you do when booking in, is to produce your card and that entitles you to your pitch + 2 people + electricity for €15, 13 or 11 per night, depending on the site’s facilities. The site here was €15, having all the trimmings, but bearing in mind the high season charge would be €42, that’s a big saving. Most campers we know are members, as we ourselves are. It’s the best of both worlds, as we wouldn’t want the crowds and noise of peak season anyway. So here is our peaceful pitch featuring peaceful Jane.

Tarragona became the most important Roman town in Spain, but with roots going back even further. There is a well-preserved amphitheatre, roman walls and some restored buildings from that period, and a forum. There are also many grand medieval structures but I am often drawn to the smaller items like this ancient water trough, below, that bears a resemblance to a sad frog.

Following on the theme that small is beautiful, this carving from the external wall of the cathedral is wonderfully detailed and lifelike. Larger carved figures are often less intricate and look fairy wooden, perhaps because of time and therefore cost considerations, so some of these little pieces are artistic gems. Large sculptures do come into their own, in wealthy cities e.g. Rome, where they could afford the best craftsmen like Michelangelo.

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