Barcelona for an afternoon and a night.
It’s always a treat and this time was especially good as I saw a friend who I haven’t been able to catch up with for months. She was the first local friend I made in the city – about 6 years ago – and has always been a source of laughs, advice, support and interesting places to visit.
If not for her I would never have found the Hare Krishna vegetarian restaurant near Plaça Reial, or the women’s library near the Palau Musica Catalana, nor the milk bar where I had my first orxata experience. And I would not have stayed for 6 weeks in a tiny flat in Palma Sant Just which is owned by a friend of hers.
So, we met at Drassanes and with the use of her Bicing card we cycled all around Barceloneta and the Ribera.
First we sent to the nudist beach Sant Sebastia for a swim. Only to find that hardly anyone was nude which is very unusual. The next night on the news I saw that the recent law on nudity on the streets has been used to stop people stripping off on the naturist part of the beach. They said there were complaints from ‘the neighbours’  Ummm…..there are no houses there – only the new and incredibly modern and expensive hotel W which sits at the far end of the beach

Possibly the complaints came from that direction?
We went along to take a look at the bar and the vestibule – it is very luxurious and comfortable

At every door there were people guarding the entrances – any old riff raff from the beach definitely not welcome. But we walked confidently by

Afterwards we went for a genuine vermut in one of my favourite bars near the Barceloneta market

It was very busy so we just stood at the counter and eyed up the cheeses and sausages.

At every stop we put back the bicycle in the stand

then took another when we were ready to go. Bicing is such a convenient and sensible system and the promenade by the beach is the perfect place to go spinning along with the wind in your hair.
Next stop was a Kebab cafe for falafels and hummus …..and a couple of beers!
Still not too wobbly we managed to negotiate the traffic and get to the narrow streets of the Ribera, the area close to Santa Maria del Mar. It was Saturday night and everywhere was buzzing. It’s not easy winding around people as they dither and dawdle along but bikes and people seem to mix fairly well in these tiny streets. My friend could ride along, snaking between people but I was less practised and had to keep jumping on and off and ringing my bell.
We went into a bar – Valentina on Regomir – which is full of armchairs and bookcases. You can take books away if you bring in new ones so the titles are constantly being added to and refreshed

We found a comfortable corner, pulled out some books, ordered wine and a mojito and settled down to read in peace for an hour. After such a busy evening it was nice to just rest and relax with a friend with no need to talk.

Next morning I went back to my favourite square for a coffee and croissant – It’s just beside the Esglesia Sant Just i Pastor which is a 4th century church I often visit for quiet meditation.
I am soon setting off on travels to France and Italy and then on to Cornwall and won’t be back here for a few months. It feels strange to know that when I return, hopefully with two dear dogs in the back of the van, it will be harder to make these short trips to Barcelona. So every moment of this one felt extra precious and sweet.

Speaking of journeys – I forgot that we started off in the Maritime Museum with a coffee and chocolate croissant. There is an exhibition there now about a big storm that happened in the Mediterranean in 1911 – a year I always notice as it is when my mother was born. I don’t know what the connection was with the exhibit in the courtyard of a ship and its passengers but it made a good photo!

I feel am setting off on a new adventure, waving to friends and family as my boat sets sail to goodness knows where. If all goes to plan and I return to live with three dogs in Granollers – I will be Dog Woman!