Early rise again. We used the FreeNow Taxi App to book s taxi last night. Abdul is on time and we’re on time. €14  gets us Segrada Familia, a taxi is much better than a 1 hour walk. We organise him for the early airport trip on Monday morning. Thumbs up to FreeNow.

I’ll need to rehash yesterday a little, I was a bit weary last night. The book Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon paints the picture of the Gothic area of Barcelona so well, the dark alleys, the pigeons scattering as you walk, a cool breeze and shadows in the grey distance. It is dark and haunting but beautiful at the same time.

Now, this morning is dedicated to a visit to the Segrada Familia – Goudi’s masterpiece and life long work. It’s still being built today to Goudi’s concept and drawings in neo Gothic style but with a contemporary architect and modern building technology. It’s truly spectacular, the form, the stories, the colour, the light. No photos can do it justice.

Next the Hop On Hop Off bus, we do a few laps of Barcelona. Some parts special, some parts grungy, the ’92 Barcelona Olympics residential sites are very tired. The city is crowded, hate to see it summertime and busy!

3pm we’re at Gaudi’s Casa Mila, an apartment building with a central courtyard. We get to see an apartment plus, attic and the roof top terrace. I’d love one of these places as a little bolt hole in Barcelona.

4pm it’s time for Friday Night Drinks, which is tapas and drinks at Dora Tapas Bar & Restaurant – food has to suit The Navigator and the Mechanic so it is a process, but this time its not too bad.

Back to the HOHO bus and we head to Montjuic where the Olympic Stadiums were, still spectacular on the hill, past Barcelona Football Club Stadium (100,000 capacity), followed by a 20 minute walk home via the notorious Las Ramblas where pick pockets apparently abound – they don’t get us.

Tonight it’s forecast 20-40mm of rain, so tomorrow may be a wash out – shopping in raincoats maybe???

Ciao

Pauolo