Barcelona

I have been beating myself up a bit for not going places I should and seeing tourist sites I aught to. Driving about Europe and just lazing in the sunshine (when I can find it) is only half what I should be doing and not getting the best out of my travels.
So, I am in Catalonia and I arranged to go to Barcelona, selected the location of a campsite in Sitges to link into the city and got on the local bus into the centre.
The following is my account of the sites I saw in the day that I was there. This was just a scouting visit really, but I walked for miles and was knackered by the end of the day.

Well, low and behold we have red double decker sightseeing buses, three in a row, but no doubt where we are. I have just got off the local Mon-Bus from Sitges, 20 miles Euro3.60.

Catalunya Square, warm and sunny with everybody just enjoying the sunshine.

I didn't know it but Barcelona in part is bisected by a wide boulevard called La Rambla. It happens to run south to the port where I had just arrived on the local bus from Catalunya Square.

But it also happens to be the domain of pickpockets, mountebanks, swindlers and thieves, hence the heavy police presence. Just look at all those innocent people enjoying a stroll in the sunshine like me, but I kept 'me-hand-on-me-halfpenny' just in case. I was approached on several occasions, 'what's the time mister?' or some other dubious invitation from a swarthy individual that was suspicious so I gave them the stiff ignoring.

Just taking the occasional detour from the main drag finds spectacular  sights like this.

But nothing like the stupendous market full of food delicacies.
La Boqueria is magic!

http://www.barcelona-tourist-travel-guide.com/la-boqueria.html

Synchronised hamming!

How they keep this lot fresh I do not know, but it looks fabulous.  There are loads of fresh fish stalls the like of which you have never seen.

Clever Marco, special marketing to jack up the return!

Locals taking advantage of the goods on offer.

And side shows for all, busy as anything.

There was an establishment of the non-local variety. It was empty at the time.  ;-}

But La Rambla continue onwards through the foodie section

to the arty section 

and finally to the Harbour.

This must be the fanciest Harbour Master's office in all the world!

But there was a fancy Yacht race going on and the contenders were arriving back in he marina.

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Trofeo-Conde-de-Godo---Azzurra-and-Quantum-share-overall-lead/97719

This bloke seems to be part of it.

But back into the old town and the old narrow streets.

Arriving at the 'Cathedral' I refuse to pay, along with loads of others  such a lot for what to me seems a bit of mundane architecture. After all, we were expecting Goudy, and his works are miles away!

But Barcelona is a big Provincial city, with pretensions of national identity for Catalunya. It is certainly energetic, dynamic and bold and has far more to offer than I show here. Maybe it would be worth several more visits to find out, who knows.