Day 33: Being in Barcelona

A day of absolute cultural, friendship and culinary delight. Spent the morning at Sacrada Família, Gaudi’s uncompleted gothic interpretation of a Catholic cathedral in the centre of Barcelona. Started in 1882, it had various setbacks, including a civil war, but work has accelerated in last 20 years. Hopes to be completed by 2034.

Both Pauls stunned by the Cathedrals magnificence. We scoured the outside and talked about the architectural and engineering feats. We were lucky enough to get tickets to go inside and blown away by the sheer scale and height and fact that there were no right angles in whole construction. We sat contentedly for about an hour just in awe looking at different parts of the building. It was breathtaking. A modern wonder of the world.

The afternoon was spent with Libby and my special friend, Merce Boixet, She is a one of a kind person. I was lucky enough to work with Merce as a clinical psychologist in the UK in the 1990s. She has remained a firm family favourite and visited us in NZ in 2005, when our kids were still little. She took small Paul and I into a delightful Catalan restaurant in the old part of Barcelona, where we enjoyed a three course menu and a lovely apéritif to finish. Small Paul was in seventh culinary heaven. Of course, the delight was to catch up with lovely Merce, hear of her family and the life, history and politics of Spain. A brilliant and special woman.

We then came back to our hostel, had a brief man rest before we caught up with Harry Cave, youngest son of Phil and Maree Cave, Ngapata, Gisborne. Large discussion about Harry’s adventures working on a 110m, $US300 million super launch. A floating palace. Harry has been working on the launch for one month and still learning the ropes. He’s having a wonderful and privileged experience. About to take the floating palace across the Atlantic to Florida in a few weeks. Harry is the kind of guy any future father in law would be proud of (!). Humorous, emotionally intelligent and has high integrity, just like his parents. Phil and Maree - he was well looked after by small Paul and I tonight in the warm streets of Barcelona. We shared a few laughs about our respective adventures.

Tomorrow readers need to know that small Paul and I are having time apart. Oh no, I hear you say.. Small Paul is scheduled to go to Gerona to visit a Christchurch cycling friend, Cor. Tall Paul will roam the streets of Barcelona, go shopping, and might even get some beach time - weather is looking good.

We plan to meet at the restaurant near the Sants train station in the evening to repeat the first spontaeous Barcelona meal experience we had on Day 3. We’ll see how it goes. Sadly that will be our last night in this beautiful city.Read more