Barcelona day trip

We were out just before 0800 this morning for the 15 minute walk to Calella station, €10 each return for a hour train journey, not bad when you are used to UK train prices.  The trip is all along the coast and it was stunning, people already spearfishing and line-fishing so early in the morning.

We arrived in Barcelona and decided to try and beat the crowds to the Sagrada Familia, Toni has been before and wanted us to visit together.   

Sizing up some Christmas decorations for Bokkie

It's about a half hour walk, and we had the obligatory mini-coffee as well as doing some window shopping along the way.  As we neared the site we got a glimpse of what was to come.

Sights of Barcelona with the Sagrada in the background

As we grew close the density of humanity increased dramatically, we had already decided not to go in and we slowly circled the site, trying to take in all the detail of the complex structure.  It really is amazing, they are still busy with construction and expect to carry on for years to come.  Masses of tourists, all armed with cameras, phones and selfie-sticks... but all well behaved.  We sat in the Placa de Gaudi park opposite and people-watched for a while.  The Sagrada is truly amazing, almost too much to take in all at once... so many details, features and styles all built into one huge structure.

 

 

 

 

When we had caught our breath again, we walked back to Passage de San Juan and down through Placa de Tetuan, within one of the traffic circles.

We were interested to see the Barcelona version of the Arc de Triomf.  Whilst a lot smaller than the Paris version, the detail in the brickwork is beautiful - there were even some green parrots flying around (unfortunately we couldn't get a picture).

Walk up to the Arc with decorative lighting

We then wanted to walk across to Las Ramblas and stumbled across the narrow streets of the Gothic quarter.  It was amazing, a warren of narrow lanes with specialist shops and eateries.  Photos can't do it justice, we just wandered around for ages. 

We could also hear the local (celebratory or protest?) march and had to cross through it at one stage, all very peaceful and organised.  It seemed like it was mainly an opportunity for the Spanish people to get out and enjoy the lovely sunshine, whilst showing solidarity.

 Not too long and it was time to try and find our way back, by then the city was heaving with people.  We found the right station on the second attempt, luckily before getting too deep into the first; and we were soon winding our way back up the coast.  A really stunning (and exhausting) day, we're really pleased we decided to go into Barcelona.

Back to Bokkie in time for a shower, cooked supper and beautiful sunset.  The campsite has swelled with may Spanish families travelling to their caravans here for the long weekend.

What a wonderful day!