Tuesday 27 August

We are off on the move again today, with a 10.30am taxi ride to Luton Airport for our Easyjet service to Barcelona. Luton Airport is a basket case, a very long walk to get to the departures hall from the drop-off point, and security had a queue miles long. Then we had to stand on the tarmac while they got the plane ready, instead of in the A/C in the terminal. We knew the flight was delayed 20 minutes before we left St. Albans, but they still started “boarding” at the normal time. When we finally got on the aircraft we were told that there was yet another 30 minute wait while they changed a tyre. Not the best impression of Easyjet.

We arrived in Barcelona 1 hour late and took a €30 taxi ride to our hotel near one of Anthony Gaudi’s unfinished masterpieces The Sagrada Familia. Strangely enough the hotel's name is Hotel Sagrada Familia! Not to be confused with Hotel Catalonia Sagrada Familia, more of which later. The hotel is fine, room is not huge but has everything you need and is clean and modern. The receptionist was particularly helpful.

Our first meal in Barcelona is tapas-style on the Avenida de Gaudi, where else? Kathy finishes with a sweet that looks for all the world like a boiled egg but was actually made of chocolate, ice cream and fruit on a coconut nest. Very nice!