We caught the Express bus from the airport into Catalunya Place and did a short 'bag drag' to our new lodgings in Carrer Talles where we we're greeted by Mr. Joan who owns the flat we are now in. The location is excellent with the famous Ramblas at the end of our tiny street. We are four floors up, no lift so we will get some extra exercise to outweigh the yummy food we can't resist. The flat is tiny but newly renovated and very modern with everything we need. The entire space is smaller than our bedroom at home and every part of it can be seen from the front (only) door! We love it.
Our building. The entry is through a locked gate and over large cobblestones. It was originally designed for a horse and cart and is quite beautiful. It now is home to a bike rental business and has front doors opening off it into apartment blocks. We unlock the door to our building, run ?... up four floors to our landing and then unlock the third door into our tiny flat.
Glenn is standing at our door into our block of apartments.
Outside view with our washing hanging out second floor from the top.
So far we have explored our immediate area and poked in and out of some of the irrestible shops and discovered where the nearest supermarket is.
We bought a corkscrew so we could avoid digging the cork out of the wine bottle with a knife ( as we did last time)...so uncouth!! The gadget shop had everything you could imagine, and more, and we spent ages fiddling with all the products and wishing we had room to spare in our bags. We haven't because Mr. Centipede bought another pair of shoes! (so did I). When you look at the brand you'll realise why Glenn had to buy them!
This is a view down our narrow street towards the famous Las Ramblas at the end. Ramblas is heaving with people but is top of the list of 'must see' places in the guide books and deservedly so. It is a wide pedestrian boulevarde lined with historic buildings and fabulous shops, bars and restaurants, flower sellers and impressive open spaces. It is bursting with life.
Not far away is an enormous produce market which operates seven days a week. We will buy most of our food there where the variety and freshness is amazing. Today we ate lunch there, sitting on high stools at a bar beside a Russian couple. I had mussels and Glenn had traditional Catalan sausage and white beans. Delicious.
Meat with bouquet garni on the side.
We have noticed that most the butchers are women. They trim the meat of all fat and sinew BEFORE they weigh it and they usually cut your choice from a side of lamb/beef/pork or a whole chicken as you watch. Today in the market we watched a woman order some rissoles. The butcher selected meat for her approval, trimmed it and then minced it twice. She added cheese, bread crumbs and seasonings and then made the rissoles. How's that for service?
Razor clams
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