Barcelona 13.11.

Yesterday we spent driving from Calatayud to Barcelona, a few hours driving, but easy, even in the rain, and the navigation went well too, so it was quite stress free which is nice. Barcelona is cold and grey, a complete change from when we were here last, but we are getting used to the cold, wet side of Spain, not enjoying it though.

When we arrived it was latish afternoon so we just settled in, sat in the truck in the rain and planned the next few days, while chilling (literally)

The next day when we woke it was still raining, torrentially, and still low teens temperature wise. We had been wanting to ride our bikes but that was not practical so instead we got an all day tube ticket each for 6.20 euro I think it was. The tube really is the way to go in these big cities, so easy to negotiate no matter what language, always efficient and warm!!!!!

We had bought tickets to the Sagrada Familia online the night before, so we walked a way trying to find the Caixa machine which would give us our tickets, but didn't find one, so after walking for a reasonable distance decided to catch the tube the rest of the way.  We popped up at the square beside the church, even having seen it all before, it really is a stunning building, and so much progress had been made since we were last there six years ago, amazing considering the length of time the whole project has taken.

We grabbed a coffee had a quick look around at some stalls and shops as our entrance time wasn't until midday and I had though it was 11 so we were early. We found the machine that dispensed the tickets but it was having "technical difficulties" so wouldn't give us our tickets, so we went to speak to a human instead who very obligingly sorted it for us.

Unfortunately it was really hosing down by now, so we spent a lot of time inside the basilica/church but rather less admiring the outside. Also the towers were closed because the rain made it dangerous which was a bother, but we still had a great and long visit.

The Barcelona Gherkin

A selection from the Sagrada Familia

An ornate building on our way to La Pedera (Casa Mila)

After we had been to the Sagrada Familia we headed to La Pedrera  one of the houses Gaudi had built. Because it had been raining and looked as if it would again at any moment, they warned us that the roof would close if it started again, so we headed up there first as the roof is one of the highlights with its interesting chimneys.

Inside is an interesting display/museum/exhibition about Gaudi and his works, and also you can see the bones of his building. There was an excellent audio guide which went with the visit, Hilary had a different one to Diana (I shared) but both were great, Di's a little more detailed.

After the attic area you go down to one of the apartments which is set up as if lived in (but no clothes lying on the ground) the decorating is art deco style, and the interior design and furniture Gaudi's work too.

It was getting reasonably dark and late by the time we were finished here (it stays open until 7 I think) so we walked part way down the Passaig de Gracia looking in shop windows until we got to our metro station and disappeared under the ground to be transported back to our truck.

A window display on Passaig de Gracia