Arrived Monday 3rd June about midday after a 4-1/2 hour train journey from Marseilles through the Parc naturel régional de la Narbonnaise en Méditerranée which was a series of beautiful sea side lakes and beaches. Once here, I prepared for the onslaught of expected pick-pockets but quite easily made my way to my hotel about 25 minutes from the station. Had an early night as it's a big day tomorrow.
It's now Tuesday and today I get to catch up with Angel's mum Maria, her partner Luis and Angel's sister Lali. But first I decided to go for a walk around the local neighbourhood of Eixample, a district of Barcelona between the old city (Ciutat Vella) and what were once surrounding small towns.The Eixample is characterised by long wide straight streets, a strict grid pattern crossed by wide avenues, and square blocks. It is so beautiful to walk around.. The visionary design was by Ildefons Cerdà, who considered traffic and transport along with sunlight and ventilation in coming up with his characteristic octagonal blocks, where the streets broaden at every intersection making for greater visibility, better ventilation and some short-term parking areas (Maybe Lane Cove Council could learn something here!.) Barcelona is a very clean city, and I ended up at the Mercat de la Boqueria which is the largest and most colourful market in Barcelona. I resisted buying anything because we are back here for lunch tomorrow. But I have decied to split this blog in two because Barcelona is such an amazing city.
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