Another incredible day! Drove back out of the El Masnou and retraced our steps west until we turned off to Montserrat (serrated mountain) that was shrouded in pollution clouds.

The Monestir De Montserrat Benedictine monastery was founded in 1025, 725 metres up the mountain . Wrecked by Napoleon in 1811 but rebuilt in 1858. We got here by travelling in an 85 year old gondola! First stop, after getting our bearings in this enormous complex of basilica, school, shops, and restaurants was to take the St. Joan funicular up another 250 metres and then walk about to get an even better view of the surrounding mountains, that are quite spectacular.

Down to the main complex again in time for a quick lunch then walked to the basilica that is dark but magnificent. Interesting collection of sanctuary lamps, all larger than usual and different from each other.

Managed to get a seat in time to listen to the boys' choir. Oldest choir school in Europe. They sang to a packed basilica for 15 minutes.Then we went into the museum - really an art gallery full of priceless art - Picasso, Monet, Pizzaro, El Greco and more - as well as Egyptian mummies and other ancient treasure trove.

Next the funicular of Santa Cova down the mountainside. There are 15 works of art, stone sculptures and iron works, including one by Gaudi, of the 15 mysteries of the Rosary, leading along a 800 metre cliff path to the chapel where the black virgin statue is. The original is in the basilica and this a later replacement.

Struggled back up the hill, temperature being at least 30, caught the funicular up the hill, then the gondola down to the car park below.

What an unexpectedly fabulous day we had had!

Security guard told us we could camp there for free so we did; noisy trains most the night but a spectacular view of the mountains from the car park.