After a light breakfast we headed out to explore the neighborhood. We made a big loop that included Las Ramblas, La Boqueria, Plaza de Catalunya, Catedral de Barcelona and then ended up back at Den's flat for lunch.
At the La Boqueria, we wandered through all the fresh fruit, meats and cheeses, but had to draw the line when we reached the fish area. Apparently it was a little too strong for mom. If you want to see my pictures from last year when we visited La Boqueria you can find them here.
The Catedral de Barcelona was on of the cathedrals that I didn't not go in last year. Mom and I spent some time exploring while Den sat out on the steps and read.
The courtyard of the cathedral is home to a few dozen geese. This one on the left was posing for us. He stood still for quite some time, just looking at the camera.
After touring the cathedral, we headed back to the flat for lunch and a little siesta. By 4:00 we were up to catch the bus to Christina's parent's house south of Barcelona.
When we got there we spent some time with the wee girls, Erika and Nayra. You can tell Christina loves her nieces very much.
Then the women walked down to the sea before dinner and got our feet wet, while the guys stayed back and fired up the grill.
Christina and I
Mom, me and Mary Jane
Mom washing the sand off her shoes.
When we got back to the house, the rest of Christina's family had arrived. Her sister Emma and David (parents of Erika and Nayra),and her other sister Monica and Jaume . We all sat down for a really great meal prepared by Carlos, Christina's dad. Oh and of course a few glasses of cava. :)
Just as the meal was ending, someone rang the front gate to let us know that a cat had crawled up inside the engine of David and Emma's car. And at some point it was rumored that it was having babies in there, which ended up not being the case.
But after some investigating, it ended up being a kitten who had crawled up there alone. We decided to take the girls inside and let the guys figure out how to get the cat out, which eventually they did.
This is Christina's family. Mom and Dad (Carlos and Mary Jane) in front. David and Emma on the left with Nayra, Jaume and Monica in the middle, and Den and Christina on the right with Erika.
We had a great time and wish we could do it again while we are here but Mary Jane is taking the girls to Scotland to visit her family and will be gone for most of our time here.
I hope everyone is not buring up in the states. The high today was 82 degrees and absolutely lovely!
Laters, baby!
