Author: Grant and Barbara

After yesterday’s excitement, today looked a lot calmer. Costa Dorada is the destination. Last night the thunder and lightening was impressive. It will all have passed by the time we leave, even though it was hosing it done when we got up.

There’s an impressive petro-chemicals area just outside Tarragona. We had plenty of time to look at it as we navigated the unexpectedly heavy traffic out of town. Going slowly around the floods, the stranded cars and the general debris from the last 24hours. Good to see things being made: looked well run operations from the general housekeeping.

Then into coastal towns. Some looks like a scene from El Dorado, the BBC Series. With lots of infrastructure in place for houses yet to be built. It reminded me of the 2nd series of Gold about the Brinksmat Robbery and timeshare scandals.

Siestas are taken seriously. The streets we pass through look like the benches on a quiet day in the House of Lords. Minus the Ermin.

I forgot to mention the rain. Only 10km worth of the proper stuff.

Afore I forget. It’s good to note the Sagrada Familia is taking longer than HS2 to complete. Off course, this may prove to be wrong in the future.

Today there was a chance of rain, just a chance. Main rain is forecast for tomorrow. We thought. Had we tuned into the USA State Dept we might not have been so relaxed. Turns out they had issued warnings for Tarragona region: major storm, typhoon level winds, serious flooding predicted. Read on…..videos courtesy of Masood, always working!

It held off as we headed out of Barcelona. Busy Monday Barcelona – we were heading against the traffic: the numerous roundabouts (surely a lesson copied from Milton Keynes and East Kilbride) ensure we engage fully with it. Whilst it’s mainly bike paths, the good designers have ensured they switch from the left to the right to the left side. A skill that crosses international boundaries.

Barcelona extends a long way. It’s some 20miles before things quieten down. Ahead you can see the weather front. Good news thinks I, its ahead of us. To the back of the class. A spit, a spot. Then a bucket full. Then bathfull. It’s like the Morecambe and Wise “Singin’ in the Rain” sketch.

“What’s that noise?” raises a dilema. It’s a manhole cover lifting and dropping. Is it someone trying to get out? Is it the volume of water? The fact they are all doing it is the clue.

So the Heaven’s open, the roads flood. We pedal on – it’s always adds a frisson of adrenalin to ride through puddles you can’t see the bottom of. Follow the person in front sometimes works.

After lunch it settled down enough to dry out. Hose down the bikes and feet. And explore the Roman Town of Tarragona.

Photos more limited today. Barbara’s camera objected fatally to the rain. My memory card lost it’s memory (age related probably).

Tomorrow it promises to be just a wet day.

I’ve been conned by “must do’ things before. Going to see “Six” is a couple of hours I’ll not get back. “Hamilton” has a crazy waiting list months in advance – I did learn about Hamilton, but they could have sent me a Wikipedia link to save the journey.

So as I approached the external bling of Sagrad Familia, looking like a creation in a Disney movie, I thought, hmmm. How will this work out?

Started in 1882, it’s scheduled to be finished next year. On the anniversary of Gaudi’s death, the main architect for the first 40 years. He was hit by a tram. Which sharpened our attention crossing the tram lines going back to the hotel. And made me think of the Steeleye Span hit – though that was Gaudete. Close

Built by private subscription – as a response to the growing secularism of the increasing population, and to put those left wingers in their place by a focus on the righteous beliefs of the funders. I simplify.

Today it attracts visitors as well as worshippers. It’s like a TARDIS. I’m not sure what to make of it. The use of light and space is fantastic. A bit, well a lot, OTT. I also like these spaces to be quiet: the noise of the milling throng is a constant backdrop. The museum exhibition detailing how it is built puts a lot in perspective – including the use of plaster models, even today though with 3D Printing, to study various designs. Stunning workmanship – continuing today.

It is all a very bold statement. Mine is: I think I prefer the design and simplicity of the Wigwam – Liverpool’s Catholic Cathedral. It’s free too…

A walk to the old part, tourist part. Barcelona is promoting itself as a city of pickpockets to discourage visitors it seems. Lots of urban police. So we walk with everything hidden in clenches.

It can trace its origins to 2-3BC. What place can’t I wonder? When does a few tents, then buildings, then workship and execution places (different?) become a hamlet, village, town, city? Maybe UNESCO wrestle with this question all the time?

The wrestling we did was with a hot chocolate. None of your powdery stuff. This was a cup of thick melted dark chocolate that clung to your ribs as you flowed it down. Lovely, no seconds were needed. Just a rest.

The Cathedral looked like a cathedral. We’re saving the really OTT one for tomorrow. Las Ramblas was a wee bit shambolic, more las dodge workings – and lots of normal shops. Far more impressive were the narrow side streets with traders and places where the locals seemed to go.

Very walkable place.

Random thoughts – for days the most common roadside plant has been fennel. Parakeets make a lot of noise and blend in well.

Barcelona has a population of 1.7 million (city), 6 million (metro area). AKA more than Wales. It’s influence spreads far. As soon as we leave the Tossa behind we start to get into bigger roads, traffics and industry.

Most of it is light industry in well spaced units. The heavy industry isn’t until we reach 10km from Barcelona where we’re greeted with a concrete factory. With people living cheek by jowl beside it.

A lot of the day is on the hard shoulder of a larger road. The drivers were excellent, and gave us plenty of space. It seemed the tossas waited to emerge nearer to Barcelona to practice what one can assume was Spanish verbal abuse. Amateurs I thought – you’ll have to try harder if you call that abuse.

We casually pass through some older places with their 10/11/12 C castles. Not grand enough for UNESCO it seemed – or maybe they had been adapted so normal people lived there. Can’t have everyone doing that can we?

And then to a great cycle path 12 km from Barcelona, Eurovelo 8. Such an easy way to enter a city. Great new art being put in place. Only 2 main turns to make, what can go wrong? Always fun to retrace your steps: gives a different perspective.

2 rest days in Barcelona. The poster “Tourist go home, refugees welcome” is making a point. Luckily we’re cyclists so it doesn’t apply to us.