21st
Its an early start to the day, up at 5.30am. Have to take the train to Venice which departs at 7.20am and i have to walk 3o minutes to get to the station. Anyway the train departs on time. But arrives nearly 1 hour late into Venice. Dont know if all the stops were related to the very thick fog that was blanketing this part of Italy. Its no big deal as my flight to Barcelona doesnt depart till 1pm, so i have time on my side.

Cannot believe how cold it is when i step off the train in Venice. Must be zero or below. When i left Trieste it was quite mild. Its a short walk to the bus station for the bus to Marco polo airport. The bus ride warms me up nicely.

The flight with Vueling was good except that someone a few rows behind had bought a dog on board and it howled and barked for the whole flight. I was going mad having to listen to the noise. Dont know how the other passengers felt.

The bus ride into Barcelona is fast and efficient and drops you off at Placa Catalunya. My accommodation is 2 blocks away. First impressions of Barcelona is its a big city with lots of impressive looking buildings, and people everywhere. Could be that its Sunday.
After unpacking its time to find a supermarket to get some supplies. I find a Carrefour just around the corner. It is huge and packed full of people.

After a nice home made salad and smoked salmon for tea its time for another walk. Barcelona is certainly light up for Christmas. The streets go for miles with decorations and lighting. I am still in disbelief at just how many people are out walking the streets. Well that brings the night to an end, need sleep after the early morning.

22rd
What a glorious day. The morning is spent wandering the markets and the old town. Such amazing sights and smells. So far i think Barcelona is one great city. I head off to the airport to meet Alan who is going to travel with me for the next few weeks. He arrives ok and we are back at the apartment by 2pm. Then is out and about pounding the pavement to see the sights.
By 9pm Alan is worn out and retires for the night, ready for a big day tomorrow.

23rd
Another glorious day. After breakfast we wander down to the markets. One of the nicest food markets i have been to, but unfortunately its just a tourist trap. Everything is so expensive there compare to supermarket prices.
Next is a walk down the Arc de Triomf street to the Park de Ciutadella. The street is lined with trees and parrots flying between the trees. At last some bird life in a city. Its not really a street but more like a park. It is ever so wide and hardly and cars. The street leads into the Park which is just ever so beautiful. Stunning water falls and lakes. So peaceful and relaxing, and not very crowded.

Next stop is the marina walkway which then leads us up to Park del Mirador. Its is a hill with some spectacular views of the marina and Barcelona. Now we start to see the air pollution above the city. A nice brown ring of dirty air on the horizon.

Next stop is the Placa Espanya. its a massive roundabout with some spectacular buildings around it. One is the Arena, a historic bull fighting arena now converted into a shopping mall. All the original facade is retained. The view form the rooftop is great.
Next stop is a short walk to the Magic Fountain. A truly beautiful set of water falls and fountains cascading down in front of the Art Museum.The Venice Towers add to the amazing views. The setting sun now casts a orange glow over the city creating some impressive sights.
What a day. We walked about 15ks today so after tea we dont venture out, but take a rest.

24th
According to the weather app Barcelona is zero degress outside. So after breakfast we get to find out that is it pretty cold. We head down past the marina to the beach. By now it has warmed up a bit as long as your in the sun. The beach is ok, nothing special. Lots of people walking the boardwalk. Next its back into the old town which is really a maize of interesting and narrow streets. Some very interesting shops from a guy selling globes of the world to some French perfume shops where every perfume is available to be sampled in special glasses. Beautiful plazas and cathedrals dating back many hundreds of years. Such an interesting area

Well by days end we have clocked up around 15ks or more, so we take a well deserved break in the apartment for tea. Tomorrow afternoon we fly to Lisbon.
Loved Barcelona, one of THE most interesting cities i have visited.
It is one place where i could spend another few days as there is just so much to see.