- Visiting the West Coast of Scotland
- This is it!!!
- On the road again
- Back Country – NZ
- NZ update – east coast
- Back Country – very different this time!
- Lake Taupo
- The Coromandel
- Mini-break
- More little adventures – NZ
- Getting out and about again!
- More holidays!!
- A new year of adventures
- The mountain cottage
- Ginny’s visit
- Another visit – Marni and Jodi
- More changes!
- First stop in Canada – Niagara Falls
- Quick visit – Toulouse and Venet les Bains
- Ffald-y-Brenen
- The Cotswolds
- Back in France again!!
- Barcelona
- A much more interesting path – crossing the Irish Sea!
- London to Loxton
- Enniscorthy – a quick visit
- County Donegal
- South Gippsland, Victoria
- Next port of call
- Victorian High Country
- Snowy River Country
- Reindeer Lodge – Tanjil Bren
- Hiccup to Blessing
- Have tent will travel!!
- Family and friends – hugs and kisses
- Road Trip to the West
- Very snail like!
We had a straight forward flight from Dublin to Barcelona. Lovely views of the Pyrenees on the way. We were picked up at the airport by friends Colin and Barb. They had once offered to show us Barcelona – we took them up on the offer! After battling one way streets and traffic we eventually found our hotel and car park. Once we had booked in and dropped off our bags we set off to explore. Buzzing streets and alleyways, a colourful market full of everything you could want, and a great little restaurant for lunch. We then went to see one of Gaudi’s famous buildings – La Pedrera. You can’t talk about Barcelona and not talk about the great architect Gaudi. His influence is everywhere! Anyway La Pedrera was built as a family home with several additional apartments for rent and an amazing roof terrace. We listened to an audio guide which helped us understand the building’s history and a little about Gaudi himself. Then it was back to our hotel for a little snooze before walking through Barcelona’s amazing back streets to our restaurant for a late dinner. Great meal. Great company.
The next day it was off to Gaudi’s most famous work “La Sagrada Familia” a huge Basilica or Cathedral that is absolutely mind blowing. It is on the World Heritage List – need I say more! Gaudi spent the last years of his life designing every little detail of its very complex construction and intricate design – every surface, every statue, every column and stained glass window has artistic excellence and meaning. Gaudi had a real thing for incorporating nature into his designs – it is seen throughout the building. The columns inside are like trees, leaves spreading across the ceiling. Different fruits top outside towers – signifying the wonderful produce produced by Spain. La Sagrada Familia is still under construction – it has been for over a hundred years. There are no go zones everywhere and construction workers going about their business. There is also is a very functioning workshop in the basement museum producing lots of mouldings and other works of art. Gaudi’s style is so unusual – but awe inspiring.
After checking out of our hotel we visited one of the beautiful Barcelona beaches – rows of palm trees and a very spectacular whale statue. Lots of restaurants to choose from for a late lunch before we headed for home. We did some grocery shopping before we crossed into France. Lots of cheap supermarkets line the border – all about enticing French shoppers. Heaps of our friends travel into Spain regularly to shop for food and wine. It was late evening when we arrived home – a long day. We are house sitting for friends for a few days before we move back to our regular house sit in Thuir. Hopefully also back to French lessons with Madame Denise – the ever patient Madame Denise! We caught up with friends last night – lots of news to share. Also some cake and a glass of bubbles to celebrate our recent birthdays. It is so good to be back in France.
Love again
Di and Reg
This entry was posted in Europe, Spain
Love the photo’s you have been to some amazing places, looks like France is the favourite one. have fun
Love heather
Yep, we keep coming back here. A God thing xx
I think i am going to wrap myself up in a box and get Heather to post me over to you. You look like you are soo happy. Miss you heaps, you could always come back to new zealand and do a house sit – i will move out for you…lol. LYL xxxxx
Ha Ha!!!! Can just see Heather sealing the box and taking you to the post office. We are happy – there are moments(!) that are frustrating, it goes with the territory of travelling. But mostly it’s a joy to see different places, meet new people. Suits us xx