Castelldefels - Barcelona - Alcossebre

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 Wednesday1 February

Day in Barcelona.  The L95 bus stop is just a short walk from the campsite and Reception told us that they run every 20 minutes or so.  Not this morning though.  We waited 40 minutes for it, but stood in the sunshine chatting to our new young Swiss friends (with their 10 week old baby boy).  We found out later that buses were all up the creek today because of demonstrations going on.  Poor baby (not sure how it's spelt but sounds like No ee) had had enough before reaching the city centre, so they got off!)

We arrived at Placa de Catalunya where all the trip buses start from, caught the Green Route and enjoyed (although rather draughty on the top deck) seeing various parts of the city - the Arc de Triomf

Aroung the port

By the beaches
to our first view of Sagrada Familia. 

Although we visited 3 years ago, we were keen to feel the wonderful atmosphere again and see how work has progressed in that time.  

Gaudi designed the building back the 1880s and worked on it himself for 40 years until his death - at that point the crypt and this facade were built.  The work has continued ever since (with a gap of a year due to Covid19) and was due for completion in 2026 - now delayed for a year or so. 

He particularly wanted it to depict light and nature and tell the story of Jesus. 
It will have a total of 18 towers when finished and work has now started on the tallest which will be dedicated to Christ.  The whiter spire in this picture is the latest to be finished - dedicated to Mary, with a star on the top that sparkles in the sunlight.
Stepping inside is awesome and brought back all those feelings of our last visit.  So much detail.  The pillars represent trees with leaves at the ceiling.
Stained glass windows on the E side are greens and blues to catch morning light.



On the W side, yellow, orange and red.  I find the colours make it a very moving experience to be there.
Looking up to the ceiling.

Another facade showing the 4 spires to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.


 Do google Sagrada Familia to find out so much more.

After a bit of lunch we got back on the Green Route bus and off again at Parc Guell.  We missed seeing this last time.  Another amazing creation of Gaudi, with viaducts of pieces of stone,

a huge area surrounded by curved mosaic seating,

- a visitor while we were sitting here -

ornamental buildings,


and sculptures.
Was lovely being in the warm sunshine!  We'd people-watched so many selfie-takers, we had to have one ourselves!

A brilliant day, rather spoilt by us getting freezing cold on the last bit of the circuit  of the Green bus, then waiting for 50 minutes at the bus stop for the L95 home - this time chatting with a young couple from Zurich. 


Thursday 2 February

Our last leg of travelling for a while today, continuing south to one of our favourite campsites, Playa Tropicana at Alcossebre.  We have a pitch in the same row as in 2020 and the same blue sky.


This little bungalow is opposite us and available for rental.  (Other shapes and sizes also available.)  Do come and join us - we are here for almost 3 weeks!  Nearest airport Valencia.  See you soon!



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