September 11th has many associations for people all around the world but here in Catalunya it is the National Day also known as The Diada. It commemorates a defeat in battle but has been given a new positive slant by the annual celebrations all around the region.

Like many people outside the country I had never heard about any of this before coming here but perhaps after last years huge demonstration in Barcelona where over one and a half million people marched in support of Independence, there may be a wider interest in what happens tomorrow.

My first year here was in 2009 and I spent September 11th up in the Pyranees. I had no idea then why there was a group of people carrying a flag up to the top of Costabonne, showing my ignorance at the time but isn’t it wonderful how much you can learn and change in 4 years?

Looking at these photos reminds me of those lovely days walking in the mountains when my main concerns were about relaxing into my newly budding relationship, trying to understand the Catalan conversations of my three friends, and wondering if my legs and lungs would make it across the mountains to the refuge where we slept for three nights.

It’s very beautiful up there and I want to go back.