Catalan rural life

Yes, another museum! They are all labelled “Ecomuseums” — I’m not clear exactly what this is supposed to mean, but this one, in Esterri d’Aneu, is basically a medieval house furnished mostly as it would have been in the 19th century. The visit was via guided tour, and S and I were the only takers, so the guide gave us a choice of Spanish and Catalan. I chose the one I understand. It was a short and interesting visit; the family was clearly well off, and the house was quite grand by rural standards. This is the kitchen, where the family would spend most of the time in winter as it was the only warm place. On the ground floor was a 17th century loom (extra), quite impressive — it still gets used for demonstrations sometimes by Rosa Maria, the weaver from Ginestarre whom we have met.

From here we headed home via the lake we have visited previously (extra); S went out in a canoe for half an hour while I drank a beer on the terrace amid the racket of Catalan families enjoying themselves, hordes of children careering everywhere.

Finally we stopped off in Llavorsi in search of the sheep fair. The only sheep in evidence were half a dozen in a pen under the shade of a tree, but there were lots of stalls selling handicrafts and local food. Plus, unexpectedly, S’s Catalan publishers had a stall, so he got to meet them.

The temperature on the car read 41C where it was parked in the sun, so it was good to get back up to Bordes de Graus where it is a bit cooler. Barbecue on the cards this evening.