I'm exhausted

This travel thing is quite exhausting for the frail and elderly like myself- I think I am trying my best to fool myself that I am 30 not near 60 years old... the spirit is in tact anyway.

Thought I would have a day off Blogging yesterday as I was completely Gaudi'd out. Started the day with a visit to La Pedrera also known as Casa Mila, situated on the gracious tree lined avenue of Passeig de Gracia. Commisioned by the Mila family, Gaudi as one of the most innovative architects of his time, created this absolutely amazing organic block of apartments. The project started in 1905 and has been called La Pedrera after its resemblance to a quarry. It is probably one of the most organic, undulating structures I have seen - it throbs with life, each wall, each window each minute decorative detail oozing life and beauty. Gaudi was said to have conceived the structure as a living organism of constant movement ... ready to evolve with the passing of time.

The whole experience was a blow out - as you can imagine my cameras worked overtime - From the staircase to the apartment on view on the 5 level - to the incredible parabolic arched attic ...and wait there's more - just as you think you have seen it all you climb the winding white stairwell to the rooftop wonderland of chimney pots - sweeping views over the Barcelona landscape - changes through the ages -Montjuic, Parc Guell, Barcelona Cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar. the unfinished Sagrada Familia, The Torre Agbar ....

I was totally finished - mentally, physically and emotionally by the the experience - somehow either madness or desperation took hold and I found myself at the Sagrada Familia. Now, my better judgement had strongly hinted at avoiding this site - I had been fascinated by it in 1990 - and I think it should have been left as is - but unfortunately the meddling yanks and Japanese have invested in its completion - it is now sadly turning into a extravaganza in bad taste. I regretted this visit but it was a lesson in when to stop something.

Attentione! Attentione!!!! we thought the two women approaching us were about to spin us some yarn to steal from us - but they were trying to give us a couple of free Barcelona Touristica Bus tickets - this found us collapsng on an open top bus for a couple of hours. We cruised through the suburbs in the searing heat, through places we may have never been - and as luck would have it I found myself right out side the Nou Camp home of my beloved FC Barcelona. An exciting treat which did not seem to have any impact on Adele.

Back at the ranch - Banys Orientales finally time to sample a Paella - and it lived up to the expectation - washed down with a rather refreshing Sangria Cava (made with Champagne rather than red wine)

To bed - glad to report the Olive Leaf extract has worked -my cold has disappeared!

Monday 6th - GIRONA

After trying to get out of town for 2 hours we finally got to Barcelona Sants Estacion and found our selves on the RENFE service to the ancient town of G irona. The city dates back to ancient Roman times and layer upon layer of history is evident as one walks around the historic center. Girona is situated on the Riu Onyar and the river is lined by pastel coloured houses - displaying there washing, elaborate iron work, dilapidated shutters and ageing joinery. As the town rises, layers of its civilization can be traced all the way up to the incredible Cathedral de Girona. the houses by the river were built nto replace the damage done by the French siege in 1809.

I had been looking forward to this visit for some time and I was not disappointed.

The Cathedral is like I have never seen before - and I have seen quite a few medieval structures such as this. Imposing, empathic, omnipresent at every angle of view of the city, the catherdral flaunts its outer volume above the old Girona - it almost seems to crush the houses - pushing them to the side at its feet. The construction by its medieval architects served as a fortress at the peak of the lie of the land, just as the original town of Gerunda founded in 80-70 bc was placed at this very location as a fortress. The Moors were here - and so were the Arabs - evidence of all of these cultures still pervades the architecture, food, music and archeological fragments.


I certainly got my share of walking today - steps ... there were a few - but then again - too MANY to mention. I have survived - we sat down to a rather nice meal in a small resturant within the old town - comfit of Salmon, Squid in garlic and olive oil, Creme Caramel and coffee- we were too exhausted to risk alcohol! Aqua con gasse was the order of the day!

I'm fairly close to kaput right now - of wonder, exhaustion, reflection, joy to be alive and very grateful to the universe for giving me the opportunity to experience these wonders.

To night I turned on Eurosport channel and lo and behold there was the Saints V Cats match being replayed - I thought I had consumed too many Vodka and Melocoton (peach) juices!!!! but no - here it was in real life - they (the Cats) did try and sad as it was to lose I think it was a good thing - well - that's what I'm telling myself - the loss seems less painful from Barcelona! just as it was less of a joy to experience the Grand Final from Berlin in 2007.

Tomorrow is the last day in Barca - a last Gaudi experience and one more visit to La Boquiera for a final sumptious feast of cherries, figs and churros .... and then the Tour de Franca arrives in town and I leave. I will try a final post from paradise -

Love to all L xx