Got up at a reasonable time this morning!! Yay for us!! Managed to get the kids out the door by 10am. Woohoo!
Down to the market we went, in search of something yummy for breakfast.
Watermelon, pineapple & kiwi juice, a fabulous fresh & warm baguette, jamon & cheese bocadillo, chocolate croissant, churros & hot chocolate and a toasted ham & cheese panini. All delicious!! We went home with that lot, and had an amazing breakfast.
Away off we went on the metro to Parc Guell. It's the park commissioned by entrepreneur, Eusebi Guell, who loved Gaudi. He'd designed his house, his winery, a church and finally Parc Guell. They were great mates, and worked well together. It's a nice story if you were interested.
It's a bit of hike, but not too far from the city, easily accessible by train, then a jolly good uphill walk. Luckily the park has been considerate enough to install 3 escalators partway up the hill. Helpful, but you still have to walk a good way uphill yourself. Luckily we are all fit little soldiers now, and got nearly to the top of the park in 28 degree heat. On the promise of an ice cream of course!
The views were beautiful, and the kids were amazed just how far we can all walk now, as we could pinpoint where we'd been over the last few days.
The mosaics are gorgeous, very colourful, and the curves make them very easy to look at. The famous Barcelona gecko/chameleon is found here, and would be fabulous to photograph, if there weren't so many bliming tourists in the way. Lots of selfies going on there.
I read a thing on an Italian FB page earlier in the week, talking about how rude they'd found the Italians. It was a bit of an entitled post, with the vibe being that "we're paying them good money to serve us". Some of the replies were that it's been one of the busiest seasons they've ever had, and it's still very busy, when usually it would have quietened by now.
I certainly found that it was much quieter when I backpacked the same weeks 26 years ago. Lots of places were closed by now. Of course times change, and we're all 'richer'. But this time, the crowds are thick, and we're fighting for the best photograph position. I know photos are an important part of remembering, but I keep encouraging the kids to photograph it with their eyes too. I hope others are also imprinting it on their memories, as they take their photos.
Anyways, my point is, I haven't found anyone to be rude. Just about everyone has been amazing.
We came home afterwards, to raid the fridge, and polish off as much as we could, so we don't have to throw anything out before we go home. I really hate throwing good food out! We had some delicious things, olives stuffed with anchovies, brie on fresh, crunchy baguettes, ham & cheese on deliciously soft focaccia, gazpacho... My mouth would be watering now, but I'm still eating anchovy olives, while I have a glass or two of cava.
After a good lunch, we got our swimmers on, and headed out to Barceloneta beach, for a swim. When I say headed out, it was a good 2km walk. It didn't feel like it, because there are so many things to look at along the way.
It was K4 & the kids first time in the Mediterranean. I've spent a lot of time around the Med, and I absolutely love it. Barceloneta beach is gorgeous and clear. It's cold for about 1 second, until you get under, and then, after a deliciously long summer, it's warm, and the perfect temp to bob around in.
I stayed in until I felt seasick (about 4 minutes), and perfectly cooled off, I headed back up the beach.
The kids had a lovely time in the water, and enjoyed with wonderment, their first time out with topless sunbakers. Lol. Jess came to the conclusion that there was nothing wrong with any of our bodies, that we should all just stop being self conscious, and get on with wearing bikinis and having fun. Go girlfriend!
Heading home now, we stopped in for some dinner at a nice tapas bar/restaurant, and ate more yummy stuff.
Not food obsessed at all. Syd & I have renewed vigour to hit our farmers markets & try new things when we get home. Johnny's still a meat & bread boy though.
Then more ice cream, and up to the apartment, to pack our bags, shower the salt off, watch a Ted Lasso, and go to bed early, in readiness for our trip home tomorrow.
Just a bit on that. Before we left, the kids did not want to go away. They were a bit scared, and worried that no-one would understand us because no-one would speak English. They were kind of excited, but the fear was real.
Asking them today, if they wanted to go home, they all said a resolute no. They would love to continue on. That makes my heart sing! Don't get me wrong, we all need a rest, but they can all rattle off their next ideal stop. If only we could spend a week on a Greek island, basking in the sun, or down in the south of Spain, and then continue on to eastern Europe.
They can all communicate now, regardless if the other person can speak English or not. Johnny still gets a bit nervous, but he does it never-the-less. He'll do it with a smile one of these days.
I have no doubt that they'll be happy to be home, in their own beds, and I know some friends will be having visits the moment we hit the ground, but I wonder what they will think of their adventures in the weeks to come. I hope they're proud of themselves. They were scared, they did it anyway, and they had a great time. Fingers crossed it's a life lesson learned.
BTW, can't wait to put on a new pair of trousers! I've worn these ones everyday since I split the last ones. Eek. With the exception of the one day I wore jeans. I'm hoping that it was because I washed them, but I can't rightly remember. <insert freaked out eyes here>. I would have bought new ones, but everything in the shops is for winter! Argh! Luckily I shower daily.
Love you all, and if I don't see you on Saturday, I'll call you very, VERY soon!! XXX
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