A late rise today. We need a break from the fast pace we’ve been running before we head to Prague on Monday morning at 7.20am (tomorrow).

The next stop in Prague is another apartment, they want an on line check in, can’t get into the place until 3pm. The checkin is a pain, they had Sonya’s phone number and email, the stuff won’t load, I’m about to pelt the phone and The Navigator works it out. I’d rather deal with human beings than machines. This electronic checkin stuff is like Drs doing consults over a phone, they can shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.

After breakfast, a bit later than normal, as we get a sleep in with the clocks wound back 1 hour this morning as daylight saving ends, we head into the alleys of the Gothic area and the old Jewish area. We find the Palau de la Música Catalana, a beautiful building, the show on is Big Bang Beethoven, it’s packed so we don’t try for a ticket. Inside the concert hall is supposed to be magnificent, maybe another time. The Picasso Museum is booked heavily and we can’t get in until 4pm so we give it a miss, maybe next time I’ll book ahead – not sure anyone else was that interested anyway.

The rain comes and goes so so we seek respite in a Cafe and have churros and chocolate, and a few other nibbles, not half bad!

A short walk home via La Rambla for a late afternoon rest. Then while the others rest more and pack I wander off into the Gothic area to find a quiet spot for a beer, by myself, no decisions other than my own. Very relaxing.

Dinner is back at Rossini’s in Placa Reial, than a final walk around old Barcelona. The Navigator makes one last purchase at a ceramics place that sell all local hand made and painted/glazed work.

Barcelona is great, the longer I’ve stayed the more I’ve come to like it. I love the architecture inspired by the Moors, the other Spanish regions and one off’s like Gaudi, I love the old area, the Gothic and Jewish areas, the spider website of alleys, with restaurants, shops, all sorts of stuff. There is a “vibe” to Barcelona, just like there is a vibe in The Castle.

Anyway, tomorrow we’re off to Prague – 7.20 flight, taxi booked for 4.50am

Ciao from Paulo