Barcelona,Gaudi,la vuelta,and stuff

Barcelona! What can I say,we had a full week there and I could easily have enjoyed two. We had a relatively short drive from Costa Brava and a few toll roads to deal with. Only one of which we stuffed up and had to buzz the attendant out to help. She got us back, however, by over charging! Then there was the driving into Barcelona. Oh help me. I mean to start with everything is opposite, so left turns require a wide turn onto the right, you give way to the left and the rotten indicator is on the wrong side so I've cleaned the windscreen.......a lot!
We ended up up the wrong end of the street and it's all one way lanes,most of which are filled with pedestrians and I ended up driving on 'La Rambla'. Not something I would suggest on a Saturday. We finally got there( few more grey hairs). Our apartment for the week was in the Raval right in the heart of it all, so the car went into the oh so squeezy garage and stayed there.
This is our street.



And the very popular cat in the Rambla near our place.



So with the car parked we were off to explore the city,starting with the market for some fresh juice and too soak in the amazing location.












As I already posted, we went on a Gaudi day and visited the Sagrada Familia. The most amazing church designed by Gaudi. If you only visit one church in your life you have to make it this one. I honestly walked inside and just stood there with my mouth open. If you think the outside looks unfinished, with all the cranes etc, you would be right. Gaudi knew it would take more than his lifetime to finish it. It's believed it will be complete 2026, until then it will continue to be built using donations and entry fees.















We had the audio tour, hence the headphones.
Then there was a visit to Parc Guell.









On the Wednesday we had a side trip to a town out of Barcelona called Tafalla where the Vuelta cycle race was passing through twice on that day. We caught a train that travelled at 248klm and arrived just as the pre Vuelta came through throwing out free stuff. Woohoo. We waited in a great spot and caught the race flying by.


If you look carefully that's Cadel on the outside. When they came through for the sprint I yelled out as I saw him again and I reckon just about frightened him off his bike!
We spent the night in Tafalla and returned to Barcelona, however we diverted off to visit Monserrat. A monestery high up on a Rocky Mountain. Best access! Dangly scary cable car.



The monestery was beautiful inside and out.



Unfortunately the cloud had come in so no great photos. You could easily spend a day up there exploring all the trails around the rocks and into the little grottos.






I've really only touched on what was an amazing week in Barcelona. We saw and did so much. All the lane ways and shopping was wonderful, best I come back some time soon.
As a final activity in Barcelona, I went and got some new ink!



We are now in Switzerland and at the base of the Eiger. Prepare for some more amazing photos, till then,
Uke complete me.

Location:Almisgässli,Grindelwald,Switzerland