The Evil Lord Of BCN

Sant Joan

2006-06-26T20:52:00.000+02:00

Cool night on Friday. We were on the beach to celebrate St Joan until about 3:30pm with alcohol and cake, then off to club. Sorry no pics from that.

We did however have a house guest last night (2am). I came into the kitchen to get a glass of water, and out new friend shot across the kitchen worksurface. I thought it was someone's pet that had escaped, however, I've been informed that in the countryside it isn't unusual. What he/she was doing so close to the city centre however is anyone's guest.

R wanted me to batter it to death with the broom - as you can imagine I wasn't having it. After several attempts to capture it in a box, I gave up, as he legged it into the boxes in the storage area above the bathroom.

R. has asked me to name him, since she is convinced he will stick around. Any suggestions welcome.

I just hope he's busy catching mosquitos - that's a sure fire way to find himself in R's good books again.

still here

2006-06-04T17:56:00.000+02:00

Farsia has correctly noted that the blog has been looking a little neglected recently. The reason is that there have been a lot of adopted-family type weekends recently (birthdays, and a first communion, to be exact).

This is shot from the victory parade after Barcelona's victory over Arsenal in the Champion's league. Mad as before, but this time had a good view from the balcony.

As you are probably aware, I've followed my father and brother into the world of motorcycles, so R took me along to the bike show at Montjuic. Very impressed. The entry wasn't extortionate, but it was odd there was no presence from Ducati, Triumph, Aprilla, or the italian scooter manufacturers.

Still, R got to try the ZZR1400 for size

But for me, the CB1300S is still the bike I aspire to.

Dream on, Guiri. Dream on.

Meanwhile, the old man has started using the little CB, fair weather biker that he is these days :)

2006-05-09T00:10:00.000+02:00

Pretty cool weekend.

Went to the Air Race on Saturday. The beach was packed, and my little video below doesn't really do the spectacle justice. Best check the link above.

Local festivities continued in Sagrada Familia on Saturday night - basically involving people trying to set light to themselves and everyone else in the street

Sunday went to see the Barca bus travel through the streets of Barcelona. By the time it arrived it was dark - so no pics, sorry! I spotted Larsson and Puyol (spelling).

Here's a flavour of the lunacy for the afternoon though.

Off to bed - power cuts galore over the past few days seem to be working against this entry.

The Evil Lord

Just raising some awareness

2006-05-09T00:07:00.000+02:00

Worth a post all on it's own.

2006-05-04T01:27:00.000+02:00

Yet another platoon of cars and bikes has passed outside, papping horns in celebration of Barcelona coming out on top. It is getting just a little repetitive.

Other half is not amused - she has an early start.

Another long weekend

2006-05-03T00:26:00.000+02:00

Sadly dampened by the lurgy which came out on Friday evening, and is still lingering.

Day in the country on Sunday - managed to have a quick cycle round on someone else's bike, but sadly forgot the camera.

Still, it's the neighbouring neighbourhood's festa major, so here's a pic of one of the giants taken from the balcony on Saturday morning. Not a great picture, but eyes streaming, snot running down face, etc.

Did manage to fix the air-con unit this week though. Should come in useful in weeks to come.

St Jordi

2006-04-24T01:05:00.000+02:00

Today is St Jordi. Rambla Catalunya was packed.....

......so after heading into a crowded bookstore to pick up a spanish language version of "The Constant Gardener" we headed to Sants where yet more roses were on sale. In the metro we were given some quite neat bookmarks by a guy dressed as St Jordi, accompanied by his maid. Nice touch TMB. Better than a failed PFI anyday. Just annoyed I didn't get the camera out in time.

After saying hello to Sacha....

.... we were off to Raquel's late birhday celebration. Ate and drank too much as always. Diet tomorrow! We took the hint and left after Freaky peed on the floor - it had been sitting on my lap only seconds before. I considered myself lucky.

Arrgh! Work in the morning! :(

2006-04-22T01:24:00.000+02:00

Woooo hoooo!

She passed her driving test!

Llança

2006-04-17T22:44:00.000+02:00

Have spent the past couple of days in Llança, on the Costa Brava.

We stayed at the Hotel Carbonell, after a recommendation from someone we knew. Here is a view from the room into the street.

It isn't too far from the station, and rooms were a very reasonably priced, so suited us very well.

Eating out isn't cheap round by the port, but we took up a recommendation to try out Casa del Mar. The chipirones (spelling?) and paella were excellent, and as you'd expect, fresh.

We spent both days in and around Llança. Plans to head further up the coast were scuppered by a train strike.......

.......so we spent Monday investigating the small beaches to the north and south. The water was still too cold for a swim, but I managed a bit of a paddle, and got some sun on my guiri white ankles.

and after lunch had more of a scramble on the rocks......

Back to work tomorrow.....

The Worst Correspondent

2006-04-15T01:29:00.000+02:00

Well, I've been out here for over four months now.

I'll attempt to keep this blog updated with my progress, or lack thereof, with language, work, freetime, etc.

Anyway, as a "starter for ten" (if a former colleague can tell me which boss of mine used this phrase I'd be grateful), I've included a shot from the roof of our building. Not very exciting, but it beats a page of text.

If I was an estate agent, I could probably describe my building as having Views of Sagrada Familia, but as one recent visitor put it, Barcelona's most famous attraction is essentially a building site.