Verdu to Cervera to Montserrat

 Today’s walk started before breakfast as we did an easy 2 1/2 miles to Tarrega for some breakfast sandwiches. An amazing town loaded with history, we got to see a true CrossRoads sign from medieval times with Christ facing east towards the sun and Mary facing west to welcome tomorrow’s sun. We the visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory with impressively painted walls depicting religious history and a box containing thorns said to be from Christ’s crown of thorns left as payment for the generosity of the town by a traveler from Jerusalem.

It was clearly market day in town as there were many farmer’s markets and other products for sale. The lively atmosphere gave us a good send off as we headed out to Cervera. 3 hours later, tired, dusty and hot we climbed up into Cervera for lunch before departing on the bus to Montserrat, traveling through some treacherous terrain to reach Montserrat where we’re doubling up in the rooms and getting ready to go to evening vespers before dinner and sleep.

All told about 12 miles, but as Steve reminded us, there are many extra steps not counted in the official hiking stats that add up to several miles a day to our totals. 

Tomorrow se will spend the day in Montserrat with a mass and the a walk to the top of the mountain (St Jeroni).

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