Day 21 - Wednesday 18 July - Barcelona 30C. Today we set off for the Parc de la Ciutadella just east of where we are staying and found fabulous fountains, the Barcelona Zoo and the Catalunyan Parliament Buildings alongside the Park. There were lots of school groups, young couples and families enjoying the shady areas of the park. The park is 72 hectares in size with fountains, and ponds, statues and indoor gardens with gravel paths weaving throughout the park. W...

Tuesday 17 July - Barcelona - 30C and cloudless. We are up to get in the queues at Sagrada Familia before the rush starts. Caught the Metro up there, arriving at 8.30 a.m. to find only a 100m queue. Success!!! The gates opened at 9.00 a.m. and with typical Spanish efficiency, we were inside the cathedral by 9.30 a.m. From the outside, you realise very quickly this is a work in progress (about 130 years so far) as there are cranes craning, workmen working, d...

Monday 16 July 30C in Barcelona We set off to see the Sagrada Familia (Gaudi's Cathedral), When we arrived the queue was along the front from the gate to the corner then the whole length of the block then around the next corner and about ½ way down there (about 800m in total) and it did not appear to be moving. We decided not to join the queue but return early tomorrow. Strolled back towards El Gotic (the suburb we are in), checking out the (completed) Bar...

Day 18 - July 15 - Sunday - Cordoba to Barcelona. We traveled on an AVE train across the country (southwest to northeast) reaching speeds of 300 km/hr. The journey took 4½ hours and once again the train was quite full. We arrived at our apartment which is on the 5th (top) floor - NO LIFT – extremely narrow and steep staircase - not recommended. After climbing the stairs a couple of times you hope that when you depart for the day it will be "for the day...

Day 17 - Saturday 14th July – Cordoba. We walked to the Plaza del Torros (City Bullring) this morning, not really worth the trip as it was modern in style and all closed up. So we consoled ourselves with a "cappuccino con nata" this is a shot of coffee with aerated cream squirted about 4 inches high over the top of the cup and dusted in cocoa. Looks impressive but the coffee is still unpalatable and we long for a real coffee like home. The shops are all op...