From the "south of France"

Hi there

Well a few days have turned to a week and we are now in Sablet, France ( a small village about 15 miles east of Orange (recommended by Jon and Beth Schneidler....thank you Jon and Beth); what a wonderful place.  We are staying in a small apartment down the hill (30 yards) from the village church which rings at the hour and half hour (Leslie is loving it???? ). Have spent time wandering through the countryside, visiting village markets ( each village has a market day) and tasting the local wine.  More later.... First things first

Pamplona to Barcelona

We left Pamplona and headed east to Barcelona via Zaragoza for the night.  We have been very impressed with both the French and Spanish focus on the energy and the environment.  We have found many windmill fields along the way and recycling in most towns and villages.

We have seen hundreds of windmills and

Recycling in towns and villages

Arrived Zaragoza after dusty ride (from Pamplona to Zaragoze is one long high desert plain--- La Mancha), spent the night and saw a few sights.

Les and le car after the journey

 Zaragoza we check out the sites ( not really that many) and here are a few. 

La Pilar

Moorish castle now a hotel (our room is in the second opening on the first turret to the left-- water view.

Roman ruins--- Augustus Caesar loved it here.

So our visit to Zaragoza was quick and it was a good call. Next morning headed to Barcelona and the views along the way.  Bars open early for expresso and .....

An early morning (9:30 am) conversation

 About 30 miles northwest of Barcelona we happened upon the Monserrat mountains. What an amazing geological formation. It simply popped into view so we decided to explore and have a picnic, yes, none other than jamon y queso with a fresh loaf of bread, vino and apples.

Monserrat mountains

Monastery--- 1250-1350ish.

The mountains from the east side on our way to the Pyrennes and Andorra a few says later.


What an incredible welcome to Barcelona. I will stop here for now because I want to think a bit more about how to show you Barcelona.  Initially, I wasn't really excited about coming here because I visited many years ago and remember it as a huge tourist city. Yes, it is that but after we spent a day seeing all the varying degrees of architecture and visiting the Church of the Sacred Family ( of Gaudi fame) I was truly impressed. It's architecture and creativity our astounding. You can see yourself. But first, a few touristy things.

Yes, even here in Barcelona

Where the train drops you from Montag (town near where we are staying is 20 minutes by train to Barcelona)
To stay in town would be "noisy" and basically insane.

Waiting for the start of Ireland v. Wales in the Rugby World Cup.

The Ramblas (pedestrian walkway) "rambles" through the heart of Barcelona's high end shops and tourist haunts.

You can create the caption for this one!!!!!

Two touristas having a gelati--- Les (mango) and Gene (chocolate)


Now on to the architecture.  Barcelona is famous for its many creative architects and artists and you can see it in the wide range of building designs. We heard the names of many but you know how it goes... we only recalled Gaudi. First, the buildings ( there were lots of them) and then "La Sagrada Familia (of Gaudi fame). 

Some apartment building:  All shapes and sizes for all pocketbooks.

Some community building from gothic to modern:

Gothic cathedral

Building center

Community Center

Provincial legislative center (our Olympia)

Palace of yesteryear

Hotel we didn't stay in.

Barcelona Marriott

Plaza Catalonia area

Rooftops

Renovated corrida de toros--- built 1885 and renovated in 1990's: Shopping mall with 180+ stores.

And the centerpiece of it all, "La Sagrada de Familia" (better know as Gaudi's church built between 1885-1925. It is currently being renovated and will be completed in 2026.  The architectural genius speaks for itself. We were amazed to learn that Gaudi was not even recognized as an artist by the larger artistic community until the mid 1950's and that it was the greater Barcelona community that decided his church must be saved from decay, expanded and eventually preserved. The actual modern renovation began four years ago. 

Entry facade

Another angle

Samples of the life of Christ

Birth of Jesus

So with those wonderful photos, we will bring you back to the day to day world of soccer....

The home of Barcelona soccer and a local fan.

And two adventurers meandering their way from Zaragoza to Barcelona and now on to Andorra, Carcassonne and Sablet.  More in a few days...... Hope this blog finds you well and thinking of your next adventure.  Best regards and hugs to all. Gene and Les.