After another lovely breakfast at Federal we took our time and vacated the apartment just before noon. We paused to say goodbye to the girls in Federal, walked across the bridge, along to the taxi rank and in half an hour we were at our car.

I must admit it was a bit unnerving getting back into the car and driving back onto the autoroute. However, from Girona airport to Figueres isn’t a long or tiresome drive and I was soon back in the swing of things, pulling out in front of a Mossos D’Esquadra police car, like any native Spaniard. We soon reached Figueres town centre, though actually the sat nav sent me down some back roads and through an industrial estate. It’s what constitutes a ‘fast’ route apparently. We parked up outside the Hotel Duran, unloaded the luggage and drove round the one way system to the parking garage, which doesn’t seem to hold many cars, considering the number of rooms the hotel has.

After settling in, we went off for a brief explore, stopping for a lunch of patatas bravas, battered calamari and padron peppers. Look, there’s nothing wrong with lowering your standards once in a while and what we had was delicious. Susie called into the tourist office to ask where to buy more olive oil and we were directed to a lovely shop, where once the oil was purchased we were thanked by the owner with a hug and kisses. I swear we don’t know her, it’s just the warmth of Spanish people I guess.

Our room here on the third floor is clean and modern, though lacks tea and coffee making facilities. The shower is hot, the broadband quick and the bed is comfortable. We’d booked a table in the restaurant attached to the hotel, lets just say dinner was adequate but uninspiring, especially as we were only two of five diners this evening. It’s a huge dining room, very ornate, with glass chandeliers and marble floors. Sort of old world but without the charm. I’m going to look for somewhere else to eat tomorrow..

So, we are off to Cadaques and Port Lligat tomorrow, an hours drive to see Dali’s home. We have a timed ticket and have to be there at 10:30. The alarm is set for 7:20 so we can have breakfast in the hotel before setting off….oh dear, I thought early mornings were not part of holidays…