London May-June 2013.

Our flight from Barcelona was delayed for almost half an hour because four people checked their luggage in and then didn't board the plane. As a result, the luggage had to be unloaded until their bags were located and removed. Maybe the police caught up with them or maybe they just changed their minds. Who Knows?

There was snow on the Pyrenees as we flew over them and that explains the cold winds in Barcelona the day before.

 

London. 25.5.13

We caught the Easybus from Gatwick airport and then the underground and the overground to Kensal Rise where we were met by Serge, owner of our exchange house. We were made very welcome by the family and Katy had cooked dinner followed by rhubarb crumble. Delicious.

We were also greeted with warm, sunny weather which continued for three glorious days. Alas! The rain is here on day four.

We spent our fist full day exploring our immediate area and getting our bearings. We followed Katy's directions and found the corner shops, bus stop and Queen's Park a short walk away. It was Sunday and a beautiful spring day at the beginning of the mid-term break so there were lots of families enjoying the fine weather and the beautiful park. It is one of many dedicated to the public and it has various attractions. There are all-weather table-tennis tables, playing fields, a children's petting farm, playground, coffee shop and park benches and tables under huge leafy trees.

 

 

On the other side of the park in the grounds of the Primary school there was a Farmer's Market with interesting fresh produce. We sampled the local goat's cheese but I still don't like it despite trying to develop a taste for it. It took me a long time to love oysters and mussels so maybe I'll persevere with the cheese.

The following day we caught the bus into London and had lunch in Chinatown. Below are some Chinese sweet treats we didn't eat. Aren't they so cute?

Lemon and honey tea. So refreshing. I've never had it like this before.

Hunger satisfied, we then meandered through the historic city streets, past the West End theatres advertising shows such as Billy Elliot, Les Miserables, Singin' in the Rain and lots of others.

 

We found ourselves in Trafalgar Square where the London Symphony Orchestra was rehearsing for a twilight performance later in the day, so we sat and listened for awhile and decided to return for the concert at 6.30pm.

We continued until the entrance to the Whitehall Gardens and could not resist the attraction of such a scented and tranquil oasis.

We exited the park and followed the surging long-weekend crowds along the Embarkment and were surprised at the fast current in the River Thames. On the opposite bank, The London Eye absolutely dominates the skyline.

I love this powerful sculpture of Boadicea, queen of the British Iceni tribe who lead the uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire.

 

We continued on past the iconic Big Ben which still tells London the time and into St. James park, yet another haven of calm beauty in the centre of the city.

 

Duck Island Cottage was built for the bird keeper in St. James Park. It is surrounded by a cottage garden and water and is picturesque in the extreme.

This little squirrel was not a bit shy and stood looking at us as we looked at it.

The next animal, belly up to the sun and sound asleep on its owner, was not the least bit interested in us!

We went home, packed a quick picnic dinner, collected some warm clothing and returned to Trafalgar Sq. for the concert. By then there were a squillion people seated and another million trying to get somewhere to sit.

We managed to get some ground space with a backrest before security closed all the entrances. We were reasonably comfortable, warm in the sun, with only the odd foot to the head from the people perched above us.

It was a balmy night and a wonderful experience to listen to such music in the open air. The concert finished at 8pm and we were home before dark. A Great Big, Day!

 

Last days in Barcelona.

Sagrada Familia.

This temple, designed by Antonio, is pure genius and the most amazing space we have ever been in. Still unfinished after 100 yrs, it is a construction site which attracts millions each year and has to be seen to be believed. Last week we walked there from our apartment but didn't venture inside because the queues were so long. A few days ago we went back thinking they might be shorter but they weren't so we queued for an hour to get in. (A printed e-ticket will by-pass the line-up).

Gaudi's aim was to create an interior space like a forest, filled with dappled light, as though sunlight was pouring through the canopy of a forest. His angled pillars are the trees with branches shooting off to mimic a forest canopy. The stained glass windows provide a dancing quality of light, and the entire cathedral is astonishingly light and very beautiful. We were both amazed.

We took the lift up to the tower and looked at the views from a great height. When the cathedral is finished the central tower, yet to be built, will be half as high again! Glenn, who hates heights, was very uncomfortable being so far above the ground, but bravely faced the challenge anyway.

Although you get the lift up, you have to walk down an incredibly narrow and steep spiral staircase to the bottom. I took this photo from higher up the spiral, looking down on Glenn, and beyond him down the staircase. I felt quite giddy by the time we got to the bottom and ground level.

 

 

Montjuic Parc.

We caught the metro and then the Funicular railway up to this hill on the outskirts of the city which houses some of the city's finest art collections. Barcelona has a simple transport system, as does Paris, and we caught the metro, then the funicular and a bus all on the one ticket. So easy and well signed and cheap! We didn't even have to leave the metro, just changed to another platform for the funicular.

After eating lunch in the small garden alongside, we entered the Fundacio Joan Miro and spent hours there admiring the work of Miro. The gallery is a shrine to the master Surrealist's creativity and held quite a few surprises for me... particularly his huge textile pieces which I was unaware of. The gallery was designed to highlight his work and had excellent descriptions of his artistic development. We both thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, photography was forbidden except outdoors where there were a few quirky sculptures.

 

 

 

 

Last day we spent packing briefly, eating lunch at the market.. mussels, grilled squid, cold beer, then shoe shopping with great success, followed by delicious tapas for dinner, at our local restaurant.

 

 

Some thoughts on Barcelona.

Lots of smokers who throw lighted butts onto street.

Pavements with decorative tiles.

Cheap metro/bus/funicular railway tickets.

Fabulous shops. Great shoes.

Great tapas

Pavement cafes.

Ambulance sirens

Smiling people

Siesta

Beggars

Bike tours and dedicated bike lanes which are heavily patronized.

 

Some scenes.

Dried lavender in bucket beside Glenn who is writing postcards.

Red curtains for shade on balconies.

Homeless lady sitting on a park bench, surrounded by her possessions.

Now I've got Glenn smelling the roses!

Elegant homes.

Tree loppers using secateurs ( and a small chain saw) to CAREFULLY and selectively prune trees. We could use some of their sensitivity in Tall Timbers Rd.

Street sculpture above and below, a small handmade offering on a lamp post.

 

So sad to be leaving this captivating city. We've loved the history, the Mediterranean, the bohemian bars and the inexpensive beer and wine, the Catalan creativity and the warm and noisy people.