We did a lot today: salt mine tour, art museum, monastary, leather museum, eclipse. And yes, getting real tired of this hot weather.
First was the Cardona salt mine tour--the reason why the castle exists is to protect the salt mine, which has been in use for maybe 7000 years. Pretty cave and formations! Better than we expected.
Drove to Vic, went to the Museum of Medieval Art. Pretty good collection. I'm not really into that art. Lots of images of pain, just to remind believers that if they stop believing they won't get into the Happiness of Heaven. What a curious belief: "God wants you to endure pain (like these fine men in the art!), then he'll reward you with a happy treat!" What are we, just simplistic ignorant pets?
To the hotel, with a brief stop at an 11th century monastery nearby. It was empty, most of the signage was backlit but no power so couldn't read it in the dark rooms, toilets were closed, it was a 1km walk to and from it in the 35C heat, ticket-taker was in an abandoned cafe and more interested in his WhatsApp chats. Stone plaques at the site say it was opened in 1999 or so, and looks like nothing's been done to it since. Gets a letter grade of D from me.
Back into Vic and the Musuem of Leather Art. I expected something other than handbags, trunks, and finely cut leather applique. Another disappointment. We enjoyed Taco Bell on the way back though :-) and oh wait, there's more heat on the way in the next few days?
Out at 7:30 for the eclipse. Sky was maybe 40% cloudy, but lots of gaps. Found a good western view at the local town dump. It was neat, it got mostly dark, clouds obscured the sun after it got 72% covered, then for a few minutes around 99% they parted. Felt different this time, last time in Idaho it was directly overhead with 2 minutes of totality and the sun was like an intense blue-white LED directly overhead, with three tails in a Y shape. This time felt like an early sunset with yellow and oranges and dusky lavender.
Good to keep busy though. Tomorrow, we said "why not Sitges?" when we found a cheap-ish room at a decent place. So we'll take off for there after our last Parador breakfast, I've already decided that churros and chocolate are a must.