Yesterday I drove from Agde to Argelès-sur-Mer along the Mediterranean coast. The scenery was mostly canals and more wetlands. A few rocky high points such as the view above from La Franqui. 

South Europe is going through a massive heatwave and I have to fill up my water bottles every hour in order to keep hydrated. After 2pm when the heat is max I have to really take it easy and slow progress..

Gravel road through the dry flatland

Suddenly I see this abandoned factory or farm miles from anywhere in the middle of the wetland …

Really appreciated the shade from the cypress trees lining the canal ….

Great lunch in La Franqui – grilled sardines and salad

Had to take a small taxi boat across l’Orb canal to get to Valras-Plage. You call the skipper on your phone and they sail over and get you!

Hit some rocky trails and walked through a large section …

Took me a while to cover the 130km to Argelès-sur-Mer – but I got there in time to enjoy an evening beer at a local cafe

Left Argelès-sur-Mer early next morning for Girona in Spain

Hit the foothills of the Pyrenees right away. The climb was initially very gradual – but then it kicked up and became pretty steep …

By the time I got to the first peak around 9:30 the sun was baking…

…and then the trail turned into this crazy narrow path with steep drops on the side. I dismounted and probably walked for 2 miles. I was afraid if I hit a rock I could bounce off the trail.

No idea when I crossed into Spain!

Miles of mountain dirt trail … didn’t see anyone up here ..

Once I got down from the mountains it took me around 3h to get to Girona – approaching along the river. Definitely a city worth visiting. The red footbridge you see is apparently build by Eiffel (Pont de les Peixateries Velles)

Close-up view of the bridge..,

Recognize this? 

Was featured in a scene where Jaime Lannister rides his horse up the steps in Games of Thrones ….

So many cool looking squares and alleys …

Local cafes in the arcades…

Once it cooled down I went for tapas dinner in a cafe along the river ..

Tomorrow will be the last leg to Barcelona.