The Ebro Delta

Last day of the sejour here. Six peaceful days on an excellent campsite – Camping Eucalyptis.

The site has a lake with wildfowl, terrapins and fish – a deliberate gesture meant to replicate the flora and fauna of the Ebro Delta.

It has been a restful few days – the shade of the Eucalyptus trees,

respite from 33+* temperatures, a grassy edged swimming pool and an endless, wide beach 300 metres walk away.

Time has been spent simply; beach walks, rural walks.

Reading and yesterday ,

an excursion by launch up the Ebro Delta – a highlight. By taxi from the campsite to St Jaume, then across the impressive bridge to Deltebre.

The original pontoon that ferried vehicles and people across the river was preserved inland – some Camino signs were noticed – part of the Camino Catalan. Pondering on how may pelegrinos had crossed this way en route to the Rioja region, to join up with the Camino Frances.

Wherever I am in Spain I always find myself somewhere on a Camino.

Then a mile walk along the riverbank to take the vessel named “ The Beast”.

The company styles itself as –

Cruceros Olmos – though the affable crew were as unlike buccaneers as you could wish. Even allowing Hannah to take the wheel! Risky business …

There was an English commentary as we cruised along, pointing out the Eel netting points, the practice of growing rice,the changes in the landscape as we neared the Med and simple statistics like the 8 metre depth of the Ebro and its 250 metre width,930 km in length beginning north of Zaragoza .

Some fabulous flowers and unusual trees.

BBQs were a feature – Delicioso!

The Ebro Delta is worth longer stay, it would be a great advantage to have your own transport to visit the many other sites of interest in this unique part of Spain – the Southern most part of Catalonia. The Ebro Delta is one of the largest wetland areas in the western Mediterranean region, at 320 km2 (79,000 acres). The Ebro delta has expanded rapidly on soils washed downriver over the centuries.

Tomorrow, Saturday, moving up to Cambrils-another contrasting stay in prospect.