Jamie and Sabrina: A few of our favourite things
British-Italian couple Jamie and Sabrina have lived in Catalunya for five years. They share three of their top time-out tips for the local area
1. Collecting driftwood with flamingoes
There’s an area on the Ebro Delta near the mussel farms where flamingoes gather for several months every year. In fact, the whole wetland is a natural wildlife reserve and home to many species of bird – local and migratory, big and small. You can drive quite close and then simply walk along the edges of the bay, where we like to pick up bits of driftwood to upcycle into decorative objects.
2. Calçotadas
Calçots (think small leeks) are barbecued until blackened (over vine cuttings if you’re a purist) and eaten by hand which involves peeling the cremated outer layer and dipping in romesco sauce. It’s a fun and very messy affair with back fingers, clothes and faces everywhere! An absolute must-do.
3. El Museo de Vermut, Reus
There are many delights in Reus but no trip seems quite complete without a stop-off here to break up the shopping! There are vermouths from all over Europe and we like to simply choose at random (it’s hard to go wrong!) and enjoy with a cone of crisps and hot sauce.
What are your three favourite things to do in and around southern Catalunya? Whatever your age or nationality, we want to hear from you – send us an email!
Another joy in southern Catalunya is la clotxa, a special breakfast found in the Ribera D’Ebre. It consists of half a small round loaf, an arengada (a salted sardine), tomato, onion and of course garlic. You scoop the middle out of the loaf and put the other hot ingredients into the hole so created (for me minimising the arengada as it can be a tad powerful). You then put the bread previously removed back on top of the other ingredients and away you go! Some places have people handing out the cooked ingredients and others set up barbeques so you do your own cooking and some even offer a butifarra negre as an additional ingredient. All is generally washed down with wine or vermut, or for the poor driver some water. A fabulous social occasion.
Thanks, Brian – they’re delicious!