Im not sure whether I will ever get the 'hang' of doing this blog. It doesn't ever do what I want it to do and again the photos are all out of order which is frustrating.
We are still getting in plenty of great sightseeing etc and some long walks. Somedays its a struggle to remember where we were yesterday as it all tends to blend in. Think its an age thing!!!
The photo above was taken from 300 steps up in the Guadi basilica which is his most famous building. A great view from up the top but I couldn't wait to get the walk down over, because it was so steep and claustrophobic. I sent photos through last year of the Basilica but they were taken of the exterior as we couldn't get inside to look. They have a better system this year as all tickets now have to be booked ahead and they only take in 8,000 a day and you are given a time so it was all very orderly and not crowded. Gaudi died in 1926 when he was hit by a city tram. The building work is now financed by donations and admission fees and is due to be completed in 2026 for the 100th anniversary of his death. There are also 6 other Gaudi buildings in Barcelona and are part of a World Heritage site.
A recently completed section of one of the wings.
Above is Tarragona, Spain which is about an hours drive from Barcelona. Well known in Catalonia for its its wine because of the slate rich soil and ideal climate. There are many family owned vineyards here. The beachfront in Tarragona was very pretty and held many ruins of buildings including the one in the foreground of the Roman Amphitheatre.
Tarragona is also well known for its expertise in the centuries old tradition of building human pyramids, known as castellers. These human towers often reach as high as five stories. Below is a town monument which was quite spectacular. There was lots of advertising of the annual tournament to be held in the former Tarragona Bull ring. Its a huge venue and by all accounts tickets are completely sold out each year.
Below is the exterior of the Gaudi designed Baslica which will eventually have 8 towers on its completion. We went up one of the towers on the right.
Back to Barcelona!! The building above is an apartment building by Gaudi called the Casa Mila. It is now a cultural centre with a number of private apartments remaining. We were lucky enough to get the opportunity to join a small number of others from the ship for a private viewing in the home of Señora Carmen who has lived there for many years. Her husband passed away tow years ago and she is in quite frail health after suffering a stroke. A very gracious lady who struggled with her speech but managed in broken English to give us a tour of very colourful home full of paintings ( many by her late husband) and furniture designed by Gaudi. It really was an honour to see all these gems and enjoy a glass of cava and some pastries.
The interior circular courtyard which the apartments surround.
Her husbands art studio which looks as though it was left just the way it was before he died.
The lounge.
These are the doors which separate the dining room from the kitchen. All beautifully hand painted.
Small window in the door which looked out toward the inner circular courtyard.
From Barcelona we took a day trip to the tiny principality of Andorra which was a three and a half hour drive north and along the narrow valleys and foothills of the Pyrenees. It was a beautiful and interesting drive with the massive mountains towering above us.
Andorra itself was quite tiny. It is ruled jointly by France and Spain and has an elevation of 2,000 metres. It attracts over 10 million visitors each year. Winter sports and warm sunny weather in the summer and duty free shopping are apparently what attracts people. Surely its beauty too must play a part as it was very beautiful with towering mountains forming a very imposing back drop. We really loved the day we spent there in spite of the long drive.
Andorra, above and below.
Two days ago we arrived in Collioure in France which has a very rocky coastline, lovely cobble stoned narrow streets with lots of little boutiques with locally made items. Problem was that it was very hot and crowded and we only lasted two hours in town. The next day we decided to get out really early to beat the crowds. It was a very windy day but we walked from Collioure around the bay and over the hill to the next town Portovendre. It was a beautiful scenic walk there and back and we were really ready for lunch when we got back. Chose a lovely outdoor restaurant with blue and yellow table and chairs which looked very inviting and the food and atmosphere was lovely too.
Bonsai grapevine plants.
Early morning shot of Collioure from the ship.
Collioure harbour with part of the old fort.
Portovendre was a very tidy and pretty fishing village bathing in the early morning sun.
Well thats all for now. Will be back with more news soon. We have just arrived in Sanary-sur-mer which is looking very inviting from what we can see from the ship. Hope you have all kept warm with the snow and cold temperatures over there.
It looks like fun from Mitch your grandson
ReplyDelete