Toulouse and Barcelona

Andrew writing this.

We all really enjoyed our few days at Toulouse - well actually it was 90 minutes out of Toulouse and just outside a tiny wee village.  We all had a relaxing time and it's fair to say that we (ok, me) had far too much fun drinking the local wines and a few of the craft beers we found.  The girls also had a great time drinking ice cold Limoux that Rachel and Jon had introduced us to - high quality bubbles at €6 a bottle.  Most days were punctuated by eating and lounging around the pool, although Alan and I did get a round of golf in (we both played like chumps).

We had to get to Perpignon by 10:30 to drop off our renal cars and then get the train to  Barcelona.  We bounced up early (not) and headed off but got caught up in morning traffic on the ring road around Toulouse.  Finally got to Perpignon around 11.00 only for the GPS to have a fit when we were a few kms away from the Railway Station !! Luckily I did remember a few landmarks and we successfully managed to get there only to get busy waiting for the train that was delayed.  Because of the delay we missed the connection through to Barcelona so arrived a few hours late and a bit frazzled.  Even then we were caught up in what we now believe to be a rental scam.  Long story, but the property manager    came over and sorted out the lady who was trying to get us to move to her apartment - really pushy with multiple phone calls and messages and finished off with an invoice !!!! Never mind, we we're settled into the apartment smack in the middle of the city and were soon out having a look around and a bite to eat.  There were 2 of Gaudi' buildings within 5 minutes walking distance of where we were staying and the Basilica of the Sagrada Família was a 20 minute walk.  Amazing structure and the history is fascinating - it was a shame that there was so much construction going on (cranes, workmen, scaffolding, trucks etc) but I guess that is just what it is.  Maybe we'll get back in 2026 to see the finished product !

I like Barcelona - it has a great feeling about it.  It didn't seem to slow down - always people on the streets, traffic coming and going tapas bars serving and people siting eating and enjoying themselves.  Alan and I had a fantastic couple of hours eating and drinking at one of the local Tapas restaurants on the night before his birthday - the food was stunning, the chilled rose was fantastic and the sights and sounds varied and eclectic.  Alan and I took the kids to the zoo the next day which was right in the city ( or maybe the city grew around it ?) one day while Wendy and Laura went shopping.  Neat zoo with porpoise and sea lion shows and I have to say that I enjoyed it.

Big thanks to the Dawson's - it was wonderful sharing the last couple of weeks in Europe with you.

We arrived at the airport 4 hours before the flight to London (6:30am)  - and even then we were the last ones to board the plane!!  We talked our way into the lounge in Heathrow so the 3 hours we had there was much more pleasant than we had expected and was punctuated by more shopping for the girls while I sat and caught up on a few English newspapers ( something very satisfying about print and paper ).  In LA now battling with jetlag.  Home in a couple of days - seems to have flown by !