After some reshuffling of our holiday courtesy of Unliver PLC year end we found our sleves in Barcleona a little earlier than we expected i.e. Christmas rather than new year.
We thought this would work well as it would be warmer than England and remind us of warm Xmas summers of home. Barcelona was a barmy 15 degrees when we arrived so the plan was working well... this was just the first day though, the following 3 days it rained like it was the wettest place in the world. Who am I kidding that title clearly goes to Invercargill, so I guess it rained like that, which given it was Christmas time gave us a calming feel and some mild home sickness as memories of many a wet christmas came flooding back.
Above- Nadia sports the brolly in front of the National Museum of Art
Above- Christopher Columbus statue on the water front. You can also climb up here for veiws over the waterfront.
Above- swimmers took to the water for the annual Christmas swim, apparently a tradition... trust me it was a lot colder than it looks!
Above- The Barcelona Arc de Triumf- there seems to be a few of these we have seen kicking around in our travels, this one not quite as impressive as in Paris, but worth a look all the same.
Above- the view from the art museum a very impressive site, unfortunately the wether was mediocre so the picture doesnt do the view justice.
Above- yes its a giant smiling wooden lobster, its not that werid when you think about NZ's Ohakune having a giant carrot, Taihape's gumboot & of course the mighty Wallacetowns big tap.
Above- Christmas lunch Barcelona style- Seafood Paella with Spanish beer. This was ok but no competition to the new spuds, new carrots, chicken, ham, turkey & new peas swimming in a sea of gravy that I am used to for xmas.
Above- Nadia on the water front- I can imagine during the summer these beaches heaving with people, you will notice a distinct lack of people there during this time of year (except probably the odd englash tourist who will take whatever sunshine they can get).
Above- The Barcelona Olympic Stadium, the home of the 1992 Olympics where that archer famously shot up the flaming arrow to light the Olypic flame- easily the best olympic games moment in my humble opinion.
Above- The Sagrada familia, designed by Gaudi which has been under construction since 1882, its a shame they couldnt have finished it up before we arrived.... actually it is not expected to be completed until atleast 2026!
Apatments in downtown Barcelona Gaudi style- reminded me a lot of Fraggle Rock for those of you who remember that one!
Above- Nadia on the water front- I can imagine during the summer these beaches heaving with people, you will notice a distinct lack of people there during this time of year (except probably the odd englash tourist who will take whatever sunshine they can get).
Above- The Barcelona Olympic Stadium, the home of the 1992 Olympics where that archer famously shot up the flaming arrow to light the Olypic flame- easily the best olympic games moment in my humble opinion.
Above- The Sagrada familia, designed by Gaudi which has been under construction since 1882, its a shame they couldnt have finished it up before we arrived.... actually it is not expected to be completed until atleast 2026!
Apatments in downtown Barcelona Gaudi style- reminded me a lot of Fraggle Rock for those of you who remember that one!
