If I had charged my mobile phone yesterday before going out on a small excursion then I could have taken lots of photos to show you…

• the  11th C castle de Burriac that sits high on top of a hill looking down on the populations of Cabrera, Mataro, Argentona, Villasar and Cabrils.
• the wild flowers and herbs that edge the path you have to climb…and climb….and climb to get there
• the groups of castellers from Granollers and Mataro who were climbing high on each others shoulders to create a human castle, topped by a small girl who clambered up and onto the balcony of the town hall in Vilassar de Dalt. Can you imagine this happening in the UK where most children are considered too fragile to be allowed to do risky things?

As we walked through the narrow streets of this inland village, set on a hill and linked in spirit with its sister on the coast Vilassar de Mar, I cursed myself for failing to check my phone battery the night before. I couldn’t take pictures of…

• the statue of Sant Jordi gently stroking the dragon with his spear, an April 23rd rose tucked under his arm
• the inticately designed facades of many houses
• a water fountain and statue on the corner of the street dedicated to Saint Anthony. I stopped to anoint us all – two humans and a dog – and give thanks to this saint who is always so helpful in finding lost things.

The streets became quiet and we searched for somewhere to have a drink. Everyone was going down some steps into a bar which had a NO DOGS sign on the door but outside there were tables for smokers and dog owners. Suddenly there was a loud cheer. They were watching Madrid play in  the Spanish League and Zaragoza had just scored their third and winning goal. The swifts were out in force. Little boys played with bouncy balls. People seemed relaxed and low key, it was so different from the evening shopping frenzy that takes over Granollers.
My mobile battery was not just low – it was mort. It had trilled a little song and then gone silent and dark. So I couldn’t see my contact numbers nor ring the friend who I had hoped to see in Vilassar de Dalt.
We said goodbye to the little village. Looking in the windows of estate agents as we walked back to the car only confirmed my idea that houses in such a pretty place would be expensive.  The swifts were still swooping and diving over our heads, some men were preparing the petards(bangers)  for the correfoc(fire run) and the rest of the town was watching Barça lose it’s game in the Spanish League.   Later they could go to see a performance of Carmina Burana in the theatre in the centre of town or take their chances in the correfoc as it raced through the streets to the sound of drums and fireworks.
I have never actually seen one but that will have to wait for another Festa Major when I have my camera and am not accompanied by a small dog.
We were only a few kilometres away from Granollers but it felt like we were on holiday. Somewhere completely different and very charming.