Sunday was a fantastic day in Barcelona. It was bright, mild and the people were up ready for their paseo

The less glamorous of the working girls were touting for business as we left the hotel at around 10.30am. Today was the blue route on the bus where we would see the Palace which was just a tad more grand than Buckingham palace (overrated).

The route went up a hill and past the Olympic village area. Again another point with fantastic views of the city and sea. There’s a cable car which runs from the port up to this area. Being lazy asses, we didn’t get off to check the area.

As we descended you get full view of the port, and the bus drives up past the Columbus Monument where you can start walking up Las Ramblas. The port was very lively, plenty of old dears searching the Sunday market for bargains. A god stop to get off at is the “Port Vell” stop. Here you are right by the beach and there’s plenty of cafes and restaurants serving mariscos del mar-seafood. Along the promenade are plenty of African and Asian sellers of the usual goods. Fake CD’s, Sunglasses, scarves, perfumes are snapped up by tourists and locals. Spain must be clamping down on these sellers of fake goods. The police car edging its way through the crowd creates a panic among the sellers. In a flash the goods are scooped up and the traders have run down the walk. Some congregate on the beach with their blankets full of merchandise. The police car with its 2 hazy eyed coppers rolls on by. The sellers are back. Until another police car appears 10 minutes later patrolling. It was a comical scene. Poor guys are trying to earn a living. I bought 2 CD’s from them for 5 Euros. Prefer to help them than HMV. (But that’s another story).

Sitting on a bench watching the sea and people on the chilly beach fly kites and volleyball is the perfect way to relax. London doesn’t compare in that respect. It must have been 14 degrees max. Coldish but sunny. People were even sun bathing and one attractive lady, topless. I’d say it was too cold. Not complaining though.

We walked up and down the port and were lured into a Chinese buffet costing 6 Euros. Roger and I have a soft spot for buffet. This however was a grease fest, something to rival KFC. If you’d like to try it go to “Restaurante Oriental, La Vila”. It isn’t bad for a one off visit.
Now Sunday night, and we hit an Irish bar, which virtually bankrupt my supply of Euros. 7 EUROS for a beer and coke, right. We had a walk around town, not venturing too far.

Monday was our departure date. Up bright and early, we had our last breakfast, and said good bye to the hotel staff. Off we went with our luggage into Barcelona, with several hours to kill. The girls were back on the block in force, even as we experienced a light snow falling when we left the hotel. How bizarre. Yesterday we saw people on the playa. Today it was freezing. Most of the day was spent very locally, around Ramblas, Roger buying a few postcards, me popping my head into the Dali Musuem, and taking it easy in McDonalds. Our flight was at 9.25am, we left Barcelona central about 4.30pm to get to the bus station, and got the bus to the airport.

Jack Frost had paid us an overnight visit

The flight was delayed until 11.30pm, and I had caught a chill, and was feeling crappy. Not good. We arrived at 1am, truly and utterly exhausted to be greated an hour later by our cabbie ‘Toni’ who I think drove us home in record time. Needless to say the old boy wasn’t quite capable of waking up for work the next day.

This city is one to see if your visiting European cities. There is plenty to see and do without breaking the bank. Ohh, and there’s a beautiful horizon too.