Back to Siurana and some more days spent climbing in the valley and nearby the village. 

Robin's climbing has progressed and he able to push through. 

This is good for me because he can set up routes I would otherwise not be able to lead.

After another week in Siurana and in a desperate need for camping gas we drive to Tarrangona. 

It's a much bigger town and we get all our chores done.

Tarrangona is on the Mediterranean Sea, Robin suggest we spend a few days by the beach. 

A chance to relax our aching climbing muscles and swim in the sea.

With our park4night app we find a quiet spot right by the beach and are lullied to sleep by the sound of the waves,

The following morning I feel inspired to do some yoga on the beach and then go for a refreshing dip in the sea ( I could get use to this beach life).

A week of climbing in the Ariège and a lovely spot by the river to park our van even some ducks to feed our leftover bread.

We try  some limestone and granite crags both have great routes.

The sharp pocketed limestone or the friction gripping granite the mid  Pyrenes of the Ariège is a place I'll look forward 

With October and autumn and shorter days it's time to drive over the border into Spain.

Our first Spanish port of call is Siurana in Catalunya.

I didn't know what to expect and are stunned by the the limestone cliffs that surround both sides of the valley and the  quaint little village of Siurana.

The cliffs are made more dramatic by the vibrant red  band of sandstone  running under the limestone.

Siurana has majestic views of the vistas

Below  a pretty spot with is cobble streets and golden brown little houses.

We punish ourselves on the demanding limestone routes in the valley and nearby Siurana township.

It's all top quality rock and plenty to keep us entertained.

Now is the time to progress on harder single pitch sport routes and Spain has an abundance of them.

We're going to take a small diversion to Llieda just under 2hrs away to catch up with some London friends.

Mike and Julian are over for a week so we take the opportunity to catch up with them nearby the St Llorenç de Montgai village and the serene Pantâ de Sant Llorenç de Montgai.

After a few day trying the local crags of Santa Ana, St Llorenç de Montgai and Santa Linya both Robin and I agree we prefer Siurana area and plan to go back.

The nights are becoming chilly with a temperature drop to low single digits.

This will be our true test of our resolve of van life in the forth coming months.

back in Verdon gorge and I soon discover that I still feel out of my league  again climbing here.

Its just so intense! I'm not fazed by the abseiling but I do find the climbing harder than some of the other places we've been to in the recent months.

Still there's no denying the beauty of Verdon and it's a nice place be.

We spend a week in glorious  autumn sunshine but  just after doing a few routes my hands and feet feel  the ache

The route of 6a+ Duex doigts dans les nez we did on a very hot day with its demanding situations transversing ,overhangs and a few other tricky moves had me shattered by the end.

It's been a pleasant week in Verdon but now it's time to drive further south to the Ariège

In the foothills of the Pyrenees the Ariège is beautiful on a sunny autumn day,lush green hills for miles around.

This is both our first visit to the Ariège region so the Calamès crag  near the village of Bédeilhac seem like a good place to start.

Lots of routes in a good selection of grades has us both happy for the day.