May 11, 2018 - More Gaudi, Paulau Macaya and a hill climb

'Not Spanish, Catalan' he answered firmly, as Carol enquired as to his ancestry. We had been eyeing off a well dressed octogenarian couple, sitting at what has become our 'local', a small tapas type cafe populated by regulars rather than tourists. Carol was keen to take their photo but thought she should ethically gain permission so sought the Spanish translation of 'You are beautiful; may I take your picture'. After some rehearsals, assisted by our waiter, hearing her practising at the table, Carol ventured over while Annie and I waited...

May 10, 2018 - Miro, Gaudi and more sangria

'What's in there?' enquired an Aussie pair at the facade of one of an awe inspiring sculptural building. The curvaceously adorned building was Palau Güell, a 'magnificent example of domestic architecture in the context of modernism. It was the home of the Güell family and López until he moved to the Parc Güell.' And of course, it's all about Gaudi, from the mosaic encrusted chimney stacks to the use of stone, timber, light and space. We just happened to be meandering by on our way to the Gothic Quarter (no, I'm not talking about Robert...

May 9, 2018 - Temperanillo, Tapas and Taxi

Viva Barcelona! Europe arrival is a walk in the park compared to USA. With a quick glance and a stamp from airport security I was on my way through to an obliging taxi and 20-30 minute trip to Calle de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, only a short walk from Sagrada Familia. Having met up with travel buddies Annie and Carol (who caught the earlier flight), we ventured into an evening of tapas, Temperanillo (red wine for around 5 euros), Sangria and wonderful wandering. Ever experienced traveler Annie always seems to attract attention and at our...

May 9, 2018 - We’re cruising and grooving

Navigator of the Seas Sunday 6 May, Cruise Day 1 We were collected from our hotel in London and driven to Southampton where we boarded the cruise ship, Navigator of the Seas. Our first day onboard was mainly about familiarisation of the ship as it’s much bigger than we expected. Our suite is also huge with a walk in robe and great bathroom. The living area is a bit sparse but has everything we would need, even a kettle. We only got to one show on day 1, Kim Wilde, and boy was she great. Monday 7 May, Cruise Day 2 Pulling back the curtains...

May 3, 2018 - Hospital to Fisterra

El Camino - Day 32. Day 3 - Camino de Fisterra. Maximum elevation = 374m, minimum elevation = 0m. 2 - 14 degrees. Bluest of bluey blue skies. Cloudy at times. Woke up to clear skies for our last day. A quick breakfast at the same bar we had dinner last night, except this time we had to walk. Then onwards to Finisterre. The first 15km was through forests of pine and eucalyptus with no village. Just a donativo drink stop half way along. After 14km we caught our first glimpse of Finisterre before descending to the seaside village of Cee. An...

May 2, 2018 - Peña to Hospital

El Camino - Day 31. Day 2 - Camino de Fisterra. Maximum elevation = 475m, minimum elevation = 257m. 2 - 14 degrees. Cloudy, misty, drizzly. We set out for our penultimate days walking, in a cool, drizzly morning. The singing birds gave me hope it would clear. Stopped for a cuppa at Vilaserio after 5km. Then, another cuppa at 13km in As Maroñas. A decent climb helped keep the chill of the wind at bay. The higher we got, the mistier/cloudier and windier it got. Was glad to head back down the other side. I did have to remind myself of the...

May 1, 2018 - Santiago de Compostela to Peña

El Camino - Day 30. Day 1 - Camino de Fisterra. Maximum & finishing elevation = 355m, minimum elevation = 49m. 2 - 14 degrees. Sunny, cloudy at times in the afternoon. What a fabulous morning! We met S1 for breakfast. Turned out a little harder to find somewhere open as is a public holiday today. Had a lovely breakfast shouted by S1 but then it was time for goodbyes as S1 headed back home to Switzerland and we headed to the Camino de Fisterra. A bit of a late start but no problem. The morning was spectacular. Our concerns of poor signage...

Apr 30, 2018 - Lavacolla to Santiago de Compostela

El Camino - Day 29 Maximum elevation = 392m, minimum and finishing elevation = 256m. 2 - 13 degrees. Overcast, sunny at times. We did it!!!! We walked from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela. Just under 800km. An amazing adventure. Today another amazing day. Arrived 11am, first person we saw - j that we met yesterday. He kindly took our photos and explained where we needed to go to get our compostlas. Went to pilgrim mass in the cathedral and were blessed to have the Bontafumeiro swing at the end of mass. After lunch spent 2...

Apr 29, 2018 - Ribadiso de baixo to Lavacolla

El Camino - Day 28 Maximum elevation = 429m, minimum elevation = 244m. 4 - 12 degrees. Overcast, rain at times. Headed out into a drizzly morning. Met J, a Spanish gent, early on. He's walking the Camino Primativo. 320km from Oviedo to Santiago. Joined our route at Melide. He joined us for breakfast in Arzua and continued with us for a while after. Well travelled, he enjoyed practising his English on us and we learned about his 5 caminos over 28 years. The paths were much like yesterday. The villages now more spaced out houses and not a...

Apr 29, 2018 - Granada Malaga Spain

History: Granada (Malaga) Spain, the heart of southern Spain is a beautiful canvas of Moorish architecture, rich Andalusia tradition and remarkable history. Granada was the last stronghold of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty, whose 250 year reign ended during the 1492 Reconquest, the reconquest of Spain by catholic monarchs. The tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand are in the Granada Cathedral. Another beautiful Spanish city, saw the birthplace of Picasso, his museum and paintings, Grand Cathedral and terrific city streets and vistas.

Apr 29, 2018 - Malaga, Spain - Picasso and Piazzas

Malaga is one of the largest cities in Spain. Definitely has a Moorish feel to it. Granada, two hours north was the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain back in 1492. Today, It is much colder than 90 percent of the trip, only in the 60s and windy. People on tours to Granada said they saw snow on the mountain tops. We have had to dig out some of our warm clothes we had already packed away. Our tour is in the port city of Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso. They are very proud that Picasso was born and spent many years here. The tour today...

Apr 28, 2018 - Cartagena /Murcia Spain - Crops, Churches and Casino

First stop in Spain is Cartagena and Murcia. The port city, Cartagena is an agricultural center with its flat plains and mild weather. Murcia is 50 KM inland, up in the hills. The drive is 30 minutes through irrigated fields of artichokes, oranges and olives. The city of Murcia is lovely with plazas, fountains, narrow clean streets. Lots of shops with meat pies and fancy pastries. On the main street of most neighborhoods is a window display of a saint or Virgin Mary. Guide explains that in case you can’t make it to church, you can say a...