If there was one place we really didn’t expect to be disappointed, it was Barcelona! However, such is life. We spent 3 days there, with only half a day of sunshine. The attractions are very spread out so hard work to get to, though we took the tourist bus, it still took ages. It is VERY crowded! In the end, we decided there was no point hanging around to take exactly the same photos that have been taken 1000’s of times already, when we weren’t even enjoying ourselves! So, we left. We think cities are best done as seperate trips, from a hotel in the centre, so it’s easy to nip back and have a rest in the afternoon, so we may take a week by air some time.
Anyway, you know what this is. Started in 1882 and declared half finished in 2010, it is supposed to be completed by 2026. The reason it has speeded up is that modern methods are being used. Instead of having stone masons on site, the stone blocks are now cut by computerised machines off site and then placed in position. It is incredibly popular, and people were obviously enjoying themselves photographing it, in spite of it being covered in netting and scaffolding and cranes.

Catalonia Square. Hard to get good shots here as they were doing some work in the centre of the square, and it was fenced off.

The Agbar Tower – we thought of it as the Barcelona Gherkin!

Our morning of sunshine at the beach – this is the Estel Ferit sculpture by German artist Rebecca Horn.

The Fish by Frank Ghery, who also designed the Bilbao Guggenheim, which we plan to see in a couple of weeks.

The Blue Museum, the Museum of Natural Sciences. That silver building is nothing to do with it, but has been very well placed, hasn’t it?
Not much to show for three days! However, we are glad to be out of there. We have moved on to Zaragoza.
I can think of other descriptions (less PC) for the Barcelona Gherkin 😉
There are a lot of palm trees around without any leaves. I considered photographing them and uploading them for a laugh, but I decided to protect your innocent eyes…
It’s raining this morning. Coincidentally, there is a huge fancy shopping mall nearby. I guess we don’t have any choice…