Barcelona

We finished up at CEVMA yesterday morning (Sunday). In the afternoon we drove 4 hours north to Barcelona with our GPS taking us the scenic route through Valencia. Our only other hiccup was that I realised I left my boots (complete with orthotics) back at the hotel. We stopped and rang - thankfully they were given to one of the organisers who lives in Germany. As it turns out their city is almost in a direct line from Brussels, where we will be at the end of September and where we will spend several weeks in Germany through October. God is good!

Our upmarket accom in Barcelona is Ibis Budget Molina de Rei...in the 'burbs of Barcelona but with free parking and wifi. Honestly, I can't fault it! It is also just a 20 min train ride into the city. Zoe from church had told us Barcelona was her favourite city and recommended tapas on La Rambla and so we obliged. It was fabulous! La Rambla is a main pedestrian boulevarde and thousands of people were out enjoying their Sunday night.

Today (Monday) we headed back into Barcelona and spent the day on the Hop On/Hop Off bus. By far the highlight was La Sagrada Familia - a modern, yet-to-be completed cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudi. It is awe inspiring but you have to wonder whether its a monument to the man or God! Either way it is quite spectacular.

We also walked up to Park Guell with beautiful views over Barcelona from a viewing platform surrounded by curving mosaic benches. The photo doesn't do it justice!

After that we then stopped off at some other Gaudi architectural creations. He certainly contributed a lot to this city! We have easily slipped into late dinners and late nights. It is now 10pm (way past my usual bedtime) and we have only just got back to the hotel and are both making the most of the wifi! Tomorrow we are off to the Pyranees!