We were up for an early start off to Barcelona on the train, got off at Placa Catalunya, and made our way to placa Univesitat to the bar Estudientis for coffe and renew some old aquaintances, we then took a slow stroll down Las Ramblas, as it was both a Sunday and the Saint`s day in Barcelona the crowds were much bigger than usual and many of the shops shut, near the bottom we turned left and made our way along to the Parc Cuitadela, where this year for the Mercé fest they are having a celebration of street artists and entertainers, on the 1st stage we came to, there was a medeival band playing, all dressed in period costumes, looked very interesting until they started playing, god what an awful row ! sounded like numerous cats fighting or being trodden on, needless to say we didnt stay long,       We moved on a while and on the next stage there was a quartet playing clarinets and saxaphones, they were playing some serious but lively classical music, and dancing around thorouly enjoying them selves, the kids in the audience were lovig it and joining in with the dancing, we were enjoying it also and stayed there for quite a while,  we continued to stroll around the park and watched all sorts of entertaners dotted around, lots for kids to watch, balloon bending, jugglers, fire eaters, clowns,bubble blowers with sticks and ropes attached making huge soap bubbles, a bit further on there was a grounded flying saucer with some aliens, some of the kids loved them whilst some others were scared shitless of them.    We left the park and walked down to Barcelonetta and headed along the beach towards the World Trade Centre wehere we came accross a huge carbootsale/flea market, hundreds of locals with stalls selling off their unwanted stuff, bagains galore, clothes, electricals, bric-a-brac, you name it and somebody there was selling it.    We continued along down past the funfair at Port Vell and wandered olong the artisans merket and made our way back up the Ramblas to Catalnya, it was about 7pm now and we were bothe shattered, and decided to head back to Malgrat for dinner, and return to Barcelona later on Monday or Tuesday for the evening entertainments.   We got back to Malgrat around 8.30, had dinner and then up to the room where we saw of a bottle of Cava to celebrate our wedding anniversary, the Cava cost all of €1.90 at the local Aldi, twas good though, in fact we will probably be taking some home with us.   It was a really enjoyable day, but boy were we shattered !

Things got off to a poor start, we had planned to catch the bus and go to Palafolls, about 15km away up in the hills, but being Saturday, they run a resticted service, only 2 outbound and 2 return, out at 10 and 11 and return at 5.30 and 7.30, so what happens if we do not like it when we get there ?    So we dicided on a long walk along the beach to one of the nearby towns, we set off at about 10.30ish and took our time along the seashore, scorching hot again temps above 30c again, we are getting some fabulous weather.  walked up along in front of Santa Susanna, the next town, well it actualy joins onto Malgrat, lots of people sunning themselves on the golden sands and we walked on, and on, and on eventualy arriving at Pineda de Mar about 10km up the coast around about 1pm, we were not in any hurry to get there and when we got there the first port of call was a local bar that we knew on the main town square, Café con hielo to start followed by a lovely cold beer and bocadillo (bacon and cheese roll) becon con quesso,  we sat there for more than an hour just watching the town go about it`s business and people watching, a favourite passtime of ours.  we then wandered around the town itself window shopping (we didn`t buy any though) and decided that it was to bloney far to walk back so we returned the lazy way and let the train take the strain, back to the hotel for our siesta,  I like this Spanish tradition, and then down to the Black Bull for a couple of beers and watch the Chelsea game on tv, left at half time to go for dinner at the hotel, we were planning to eat out but the game was rubbish, and then out again after dinner for a stroll around the town.

We got up late-ish and made do with breakfast in the room, cup o ftea and a choc au pain, then set of for the railway station to get the train to Blanes and then bus to LLoret, arrived at Lloret and took a wander around the shopping area and noticed quite a few changes, quite a number of the shops were closed or closing, can see the financial situation started to bite, then took a walk along the cliffs and then along the seafront, busy busy on the beach lots of folk sunbathing and frollocking in the water.  I did notice, well I could not help not to, that it seems that the ladies that shouldn`t go topless do, and the ones that should don`t, an odd phenomenon.    Met a young couple, he a German and She a Pole, both spoke good english an they aske us to take a photograph of them with the beach and town behind them, which I did and then gave them my camera to take one of us.

We took a stroll to one of our favourite watering holes, El Pomme `Or, A lot of new staff there, our Chilean friend has gone back home, after being in Lloret for ten years or more, but may return next year, but some of the old staff members are still there.  We had iced coffee, café con hielo, (pronounced con eyello or ELO) and sat for more than an hour just watching the world and his dog go by, very relaxing, then made our way back to the bus station to get back to Malgrat, had a long wait at Blanes station as the train was delayed for some reason, they kept making apopogies over the tannoy, work on the Barcelona line I think, my Spanish an Catalan is not good enough, I really must take lessons when I get back home.    We arrived back at about 7pm and took a stroll to our favourite bar, (next door to the local Darby and Joan club) in the small park with the wild green parakeets, (Noisy buggers) then made our way back for dinner,  Phone mum in Guernsey when we got back to the room, she is sounding a lot better now and appears to be enjoying her stay in the nursing home, thats a weight off my mind .

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I have decide to move the daily record of our adventures to here as hopefully it will be more interesting and only have one page per day.