09-05-2025 Entry

Had a restless night, not exactly sure why. I did get enough sleep, but it was fitful. Got up after 5:00, showered, shaved, and finished packing and cleaning. Had a light breakfast, then we left the Airbnb around 6:15. Walked to the Metro station and took it to the Atocha train station. Ann got something to eat, and we waited to see which platform our train was boarding at. I figured out that we were on the wrong floor, so we went up to the first floor to wait for it. Departure time came and went, we saw messages about train being delayed. Eventually, they opened the train for boarding, and we were nearly the last in line to go through ticket check. Was a little frustrating to get Ann to hurry so we wouldn't miss the train (she doesn't really have a hurry speed). Again, we made it onto the train with just a few minutes to spare, mildly stressful. I checked in for the car rental while on the train, which was delayed on departure by about 25 minutes. Train was surprisingly fast, up to 190 mph. The 3.5-hr train ride passed fairly quickly, particularly the second half. I read (re-reading The Bourne Identity) and that seemed to pass the time. Got into Girona train station around noon, and we quickly found where the Europcar office was. But it was closed, which caused us some consternation. I suggested eating lunch and checking back after, so we found a little café nearby and had some food (maybe my veggie burger wasn't really a veggie burger after all). Office was open afterwards, so that was a relief. Pat's train got in on time, and we had no trouble meeting him, then walking over to the office. Got the car and started out to Mark and Karmi's place in Palamós. Not a standard shift, which was a distinct plus. Lots of roundabouts and slow traffic speeds, but with Ann's help in navigating we didn't get seriously lost and made it to their place by about 3:00. Helen and Stuart were there, it was good to see them (last time was in 2020 in Israel), but Stu was working, so we didn't chat with him a lot. The house and grounds are quite lovely. Sat on the back porch and got caught up with them. Pat settled in with the group nicely. The three of us watched the climb up the Angliru at La Vuelta, and that climb was crazy steep on the second half. Amazingly difficult. Then Pat and I drove over to Gran Fondo Community in Palafrugell to pick up the bikes. As I backed the car up to get out of their driveway, I got really close to Helen and Stu's rental car, almost but not quite hitting it. I didn't know or realize that then but saw that one of the taillights on my rental was broken when I got to the bike store. Big worry then, I thought I had really screwed up (not this time, but if I had had a manual shift car I would had hit them, I bet). Anyway, the bike pickup went smoothly and we got back with no problems. Was more careful driving the car, which is going to be quite stressful on this trip. Got ready for dinner and drove over to a restaurant (Alfok in Esclanya) for dinner, meeting their younger friends Emma and James there). Initial part of the dinner was a little awkward, table wasn't set up for easy conversation. But it ended up working out okay, talked mostly with Pat and Helen at my end of the table. After dinner, we drove to Begur, a little old hilly village town, parked, then walked a fair distance to a street party going on in various parts of the village. This was definitely not my scene, similar for Pat, who had had a long day already. We didn't get there until nearly 11:00, got drinks and walked around to find where the action was. Talked to one of Mark's riding buddies for a bit, then we found where the big party was, with live salsa music on stage. That was mildly entertaining, saw some very good and energetic young dancers by us, didn't have to dance since Ann was also tired. Stayed there until after 1:00 and eventually left, somehow getting separated from Emma and James. Long walk back to the car, then the drive home in the dark was pretty tough: roundabouts and unfamiliar narrow winding roads are a bad mix for me. Thankfully made it back with no mishaps, the end of the longest waking day for me in a long time.