We are back home and even though it wasn’t any where near as hot in Barcelona as we had become used to in the Bahamas we still feel the chill of dropping down them few degrees. So we are sitting under a blanket on the settee catching up with 20 Coronation Streets, goodness knows how many Emmerdales and four hours of 24. And that’s not to mention Judge John Deed , ER or Eastenders.


It’s a bit like being at work, you take a holiday and the work piles up and two hours after you come back it’s as if you’ve never been away. I suppose we could just junk them all but will Charlie die, who did kill Tom King and will Martin and Sonia get back together?


I know. Who cares, I hear you say, they are not real people. Well maybe not, but to us pensioners who don’t get out much they become part of our way of life. Hang on. I think I’m having a senior moment we don’t care either and decide to delete everything but 24, Judge John.. and ER, the rest have now gone.





So what was our initial view of Barcelona after our first brief trip. The Bodega figured very strongly being a nightly visit for a couple of hours or so before the evening meal, a practice that would be easy to continue on our next visit. The down side of course is that we seemed to consume quite a quantity of alcohol but that hasn’t seemed to worry me in the past so it will probably continue.






Christine naturally enjoyed the shops particularly El Corte Ingles in Place de la Catalunya where she would be happy to be left for the days on end. Unfortunately the shopping was curtailed by her acrobatics on the stairs leading to her visit to the casualty unit. Which in fact turned out to be another plus point, not the damage to Christine’s face and ear of course but the fact that she was dealt with very quickly and efficiently and at no cost. A far cry from the day’s in the Bahamas when the first question you get asked is “credit card please”.








What else stood, well the superb location of Alex's house literally a stones throw from miles of beach and promenade and with other houses in the development creating a private park with swimming pool which can only be accessed by residents. I am sure the kids are going to love life here.








But high up on the list of things to remember is the sight of Dave trying to get down stairs following his first football match. I have already mentioned that he has been recruited into a five a side team playing in a local league and after their first ‘match’ he arrived home at 5.00am but the next day he tells us that the match had in fact been canceled and they just had a night out.


So the next Friday comes along and off he goes to play having had his pasta to build energy, plenty of water and definitely no alcohol, we assume that there will be a game this week and it isn’t just an excuse for a few guys with families to get a night off and ‘do’ Barcelona.


Now bear in mind this is five a side, with goals and pitch not being the full size. Also remember Dave is in goal so he will not be running about too much, how hard can this be for some one who runs most days, but hasn’t in January whilst we have going down the Bodega, goes to the gym each day, but hasn’t in January whilst we have been going down the Bodega and eats healthy although in January whilst going down the Bodega he has like me eaten everything they put in front of us. How hard can it be?


Let me tell you he couldn’t walk down the stairs, if he managed to sit down he couldn’t get up, couldn’t open a bottle of wine or raise his arms above shoulder height. Couldn’t pick things up of the floor or put his jacket on by himself. Other than that he was OK. But none of this mattered as he was voted man of the match by his team mates and as anyone who has played team games knows not letting the side down is all that matters. The pain will go away eventually, hopefully in time for this Friday’s match.


But I can’t finish my first impressions of Barcelona without one last thanks to Janet who has been such a great help with everything. We look forward to seeing you on the next, hopefully more restful visit. Not telling you when we are back in case you decide to go off on holiday. See you soon!!