I-will-be-Dazzler1308
230/366: Exotica
Day 230: So FatherInLaw dropped us at Heathrow T5 in plenty of time (about 5.15am!) we checked in luggage and went through security. Wandered about and picked up some security pouches - we've gotten a bit nervous at the reported level of pick-pocketing in Barcelona. Also got some sandwiches as I didn't want to try to survive until lunch on just two weetabix. Good old Boots at the airport is turning into tradition. Didn't seem like too long before we were boarding and after long taxi we were off. Unexpectedly got coffee juice and a sandwich on the plane. Flight over was pretty smooth and we got nice views over the hills of southern France. Once in Barcelona we were quickly into reclaim and got our cases ok but not the car-seat. A lot of wandering and conferring with a family also 'sans buggy' we got to the special luggage belt. Ages later discovered that there was another one at the other end which is where our car-seat was. Sorted. Then we went through to arrivals and got some water. Then decided to eat as it was getting on a bit. So had some rip-off sarnies (though my warm focaccia was quite nice has to be said). Then queued for hire car with rude butting-in-man getting short shrift from the nice Avis lady dealing with me. Got "upgraded" to BMW 1 series. When we got to collection point there was even more waiting to be told our Beemer was broken so we got a better car for same price. A big Seat Exeo which easily held our luggage. Getting out the multi-storey was a bit hairy, lots of tight ramps, then we were onto a main road to hotel. Unfortunately satnav had other ideas and took us off into town along the coast. We were at the front of the queue when the police woman stopped traffic at a junction blocked by a burning car so we got front row view of the fire engine arriving (looked like he almost forgot to stop) then dousing it with loads of water. Probably only held up 10 minutes but it was fun - pity there wasn't a camera handy.
Got to hotel and drive all the way round the block to find parking entrance which was a very, very, very tight underground nightmare. Even in a car you hadn't only driven 10K. So we resolved not to move the car until we checked out. After the usual post check-in faff and grief over the "family" room only being a double plus double sofa bed we set off into town to visit La Rambla. Metro to Catalunya and we were there hand securely on wallet. Half way down we stopped at "15 nits" restaurant for pretty decent meal (I had vegetables to start and tuna Canneloni for main - no dessert!). Also detoured off into a covered market for a few minutes which was colourful but very busy. At end of La Rambla there were a few human statue things including a weird alien who gave head massages which included an occasional slap one young man didn't like this esp when the crowd laughed and it looked briefly like he was going to hit the statue but thankfully he decided to grump away. Then down to waterfront and the wavy bridge then onto Barcelona cathedral (outside only). Son had some fun trying to blow giant bubbles with a street entertainer not bad for just one euro. Around the corner from this was another street thing where Members of the Public put fireworks on their head. Nuts! Metro back to hotel where we made use of top floor terrace as kids went paddling and swimming. Then to bed what a busy day!
The photo of the day is La Rambla. Not by any means the best photo I took today, but it captures - for me - that feeling of having woken up in a cold, dark place and by early afternoon I'm basking in hot sunshine in a vibrant, foreign (in a good way!) place.
230/366: Exotica
Day 230: So FatherInLaw dropped us at Heathrow T5 in plenty of time (about 5.15am!) we checked in luggage and went through security. Wandered about and picked up some security pouches - we've gotten a bit nervous at the reported level of pick-pocketing in Barcelona. Also got some sandwiches as I didn't want to try to survive until lunch on just two weetabix. Good old Boots at the airport is turning into tradition. Didn't seem like too long before we were boarding and after long taxi we were off. Unexpectedly got coffee juice and a sandwich on the plane. Flight over was pretty smooth and we got nice views over the hills of southern France. Once in Barcelona we were quickly into reclaim and got our cases ok but not the car-seat. A lot of wandering and conferring with a family also 'sans buggy' we got to the special luggage belt. Ages later discovered that there was another one at the other end which is where our car-seat was. Sorted. Then we went through to arrivals and got some water. Then decided to eat as it was getting on a bit. So had some rip-off sarnies (though my warm focaccia was quite nice has to be said). Then queued for hire car with rude butting-in-man getting short shrift from the nice Avis lady dealing with me. Got "upgraded" to BMW 1 series. When we got to collection point there was even more waiting to be told our Beemer was broken so we got a better car for same price. A big Seat Exeo which easily held our luggage. Getting out the multi-storey was a bit hairy, lots of tight ramps, then we were onto a main road to hotel. Unfortunately satnav had other ideas and took us off into town along the coast. We were at the front of the queue when the police woman stopped traffic at a junction blocked by a burning car so we got front row view of the fire engine arriving (looked like he almost forgot to stop) then dousing it with loads of water. Probably only held up 10 minutes but it was fun - pity there wasn't a camera handy.
Got to hotel and drive all the way round the block to find parking entrance which was a very, very, very tight underground nightmare. Even in a car you hadn't only driven 10K. So we resolved not to move the car until we checked out. After the usual post check-in faff and grief over the "family" room only being a double plus double sofa bed we set off into town to visit La Rambla. Metro to Catalunya and we were there hand securely on wallet. Half way down we stopped at "15 nits" restaurant for pretty decent meal (I had vegetables to start and tuna Canneloni for main - no dessert!). Also detoured off into a covered market for a few minutes which was colourful but very busy. At end of La Rambla there were a few human statue things including a weird alien who gave head massages which included an occasional slap one young man didn't like this esp when the crowd laughed and it looked briefly like he was going to hit the statue but thankfully he decided to grump away. Then down to waterfront and the wavy bridge then onto Barcelona cathedral (outside only). Son had some fun trying to blow giant bubbles with a street entertainer not bad for just one euro. Around the corner from this was another street thing where Members of the Public put fireworks on their head. Nuts! Metro back to hotel where we made use of top floor terrace as kids went paddling and swimming. Then to bed what a busy day!
The photo of the day is La Rambla. Not by any means the best photo I took today, but it captures - for me - that feeling of having woken up in a cold, dark place and by early afternoon I'm basking in hot sunshine in a vibrant, foreign (in a good way!) place.