Santa Pau

In my continuing quest to inculcate a little culture into the two Glasgow Gin Bunnies, I arranged a trip to Santa Pau

In the heart of the Volcanic Park it is one of the best examples of a medieval village in the Region. not prettily preserved, but slightly run down and shabby it retains a charm which the more manicured examples lack.

It is renowned for its arcaded main square and the plain church of Sta Maria, which a little incongruously has a pessebre or nativity scene on display, playing Silent Night in the heat of a May afternoon. It does have a very fine altar screen however, and has a really nice atmosphere

It was a nice afternoon, the scenery of this part of the Garrotxa is spectacular and very green after the recent rains, we intended to climb into the crater of Santa Margarita but time and GGB No1's sore feet knocked that on the head. (GGB No 2 having chickened out and remained at home for forty or fifty winks)

We passed by the cooperative of La Fageda on the way home which provides employment for mentally handicapped people in a farm and dairy setting, and makes the best yoghurt in Catalonia. This is set in the midst of an ancient forest on the site of yet another extinct volcano. Unfortunately we didn't have time to visit the Museum of Lava, which I have passed many times but never managed to stop at.

Intended to loop home by way of Mieres and Sant Michel de Can Major but missed the turning, not like me! So just slipped in to Besalu instead.