Hermie on a City Break in Barcelona
Well I’ve certainly had an energetic time since I arrived at The Hermitage Academy; numerous training walks and runs in Northumberland in preparation with the team going out to India in July; skiing in the French Alps; abseiling off the Transporter Bridge, Middlesbrough; Ceilidh dancing; New York and dry land triathlon!
I was so pleased to hear that the summer half term holiday was approaching and that I was being packed up in Gill’s bag to visit Barcelona. I quite fancied a warmer climate and some relaxation.
I might have known better, Gill’s idea of a holiday was totally different to mine!
As you can see from the photographs, I was a typical tourist for a few days. This involved lots of cycling and walking for miles around Barcelona. Our cycle tour, with a lovely group of people from all over the world lasted about 5 hours. They were very interested in me and wanted to know where I came from and what was I doing so far away from home. I could have said the same about them!! We rode through Barri Gotic, the Olympic village, Port Vell stopping for lunch on Barcelona beach.
Riding a bike was an excellent way to take in the sights of this amazing city and our Australian tour guide shared loads of interesting facts. The most famous sight in Barcelona, Antoni Goudi’s Sagrada Familia and look at me in the foreground – I was well impressed with this Cathedral, started in 1882 and still incomplete.
Next port of call Arc del Triomf - a triumphal arch built with colorful brickwork. The arch, designed by the Catalan architect Josep Vilaseca, is adorned with a large number of statues. I thought I would view it from the traffic lights, incase someone trod on me as they crossed the road!
Next stop Parc de la Ciutadella - After the War of the Spanish Succession ended in 1714, a large fort was constructed on this site to keep the city in line. The fortress was demolished in 1869 and redesigned as a park containing a zoo, a boating lake, gardens and a large fountain worked on by the young Gaudí. In this park there is a life size mammoth, look at me on his trunk- don’t worry Sue he’s not going to eat me!
Our time in Barcelona was almost over and our final evening wouldn’t be complete without indulging in some sangria and tapas!
Unfortunately, all the cycling and walking was thirsty work and I got a little carried away!
Oh well I think I deserved some liquid refreshment, but it was all too much for my little body and sleep soon took over.
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