Tuesday 29th March

22C

Stumbled out of bed at 6.30 this morning for an 8.30 departure. We're heading north to Castellon to visit the Peniscola Castle. There's mile after mile of orange groves lining the sides of the road, like green carpet dotted with orange. The Valencian oranges are exported thorought the world. Peniscola Castle was built by the knights templar in the 14th century and it was really fantastic with some great viewing points. We had to walk up quite a steep hill to get to the castle and on the way up there are streets and houses. One of the houses was made of seashells. I got annoyed at Mum 'cause she fell behind while taking photos and l was waiting and waiting at the entrance to the castle for her and when she didn't appear l thought "oh my god....she's fallen over the edge" so l went back down looking for her and couldn't find her so l went back up again and by this time l'm nearly having a heart attack because the hill was so steep, and there she was at the entrance!!!! She'd taken a wrong turn which is why she took so long. I told her once again to STAY WITH THE GROUP!!, Mum's....l tell you. At around 2 we stopped at a roadside diner for lunch...we were both starving. We got underway again around 2.30 heading for Barcelona and passing through the wine region. About 3pm it got really dark and rained for about 20 seconds. We arrived in Barcelona at around 4pm and by the time we were allocated our room ect it was time to step out for an evening in the heart of Barcelona. On the way to the restaurant we stopped at a market where fruit, meats, confectionary and dried food is sold. Some of the meat was disgusting and the fruit was enormous. The confectionary was awesome and we bought some nougat and fudge....yum! It was all so colourful. We enjoyed a buffet dinner with Spanish specialities (no paella tonight) and saw professional flamenco dancers, singers and guitarists. It was a lot of fun and l took heaps of photos. Back at the hotel by 10. It was around 18 - 20C today and l think it's supposed to be about the same tomorrow.