3 Days = One Post

Sorry about this one, we have been so busy and I haven't had a chance to even look at my photos much less edit and post them so here you go.


Day 2: A quick trip to the Arch since it is just beside our apartment and it helps us get our bearings.
These first 3 may be from the day before but they're pretty and I wanted to show you.

Beautiful graffiti.

Our first stop is at the Chocolate Museum.  I expected a history of Chocolate and hoped for samples.   I got both but what surprised me was the chocolate sculptures.  Below is your sampling of some exceptional art works.

Another trip to the Arch for some nighttime photography.

This is a few steps from our apartment.  Heading home after a long day.

Day 3- We hop on a tour bus and take our first walk along the beach.  They warned us as we boarded "do not lose your ticket or they won't let you on".  They were true to they're word.  I lost mine and had to pay again.  Then every 10 minutes or so on the audio guide they reminded me.  It was like salt in a wound, Mediterranean salt so it was not as painful.

Who would ever have thought… the two of us on a beach in Spain.

Below a hospital.  It is no longer a medical facility.  Gaudi designed it and later died in it.

Even the sidewalks have nice designs.

Above is the most beautiful flowering tree, and below….. yes, those are oranges.

Day 4 - We made our way to the top of Tibidabo Mountain.  This is a restored trolly which took us to the bottom of a "cable car/rack train".

Top of the mountain,

Amusement park at the top as well.

Jim's going to be a pro with selflies after this trip.

Going down.

Finally…. the Sagrada Familia .  I will never see anything this beautiful again.  When I stepped inside it took my breath away.  We did not a get a time slot till 7pm and it was the most electrifying time to see the stained glass/architecture.  I can't imagine any other time being so exceptional.

Below, the doors at the back.

Below the studio where they are still working on the designs in plaster.

Spalding

For someone who is laying low I seem to be quite active.  What would I have done without Graham?  He is a great friend who loves to show off the country he genuinely adores and knows everything about.  On Saturday he took me to Spalding which is south of Grimsby and about a two hour drive.  It's claim to fame is flowers and annually hosts a flower parade.  The fields leading into the town are covered with plastic, acres and acres of plastic protecting the small flowers which are breaking through the soil.
We visited the Ayscoughfee Hall which is now a museum and garden.  It was here that Graham was reminded of another local sight, a three sided bridge in Crowland.
It must be noted that it was freezing, it was only about 2-4 degrees and windy.  It was certainly one of the coldest days we have had this year.

The local theatre.

Smells of spring Hyacynth.

An old water tower.

The most beautiful thatched roof.

These are from the inside of Ayscoughfee Hall.  It was originally a home and then a private school and now a museum.

I love these trees.  This is a Monkey Puzzle tree.  Above close up and below the full view.

The gardens at Ayscoughfee and aviary budgies.

This is the three way bridge in Crowland.  It is the only one in Britain, built in 1435 and originally had water running through.

Can you guess what this was? No, well it was a step to mount your horse with.

Crowland Abbey.

Close up of the archway seen above, have I mentioned I love the zoom on my new camera?

Windmill in Silsby and grist mill stone.

Now that's the last till Barcelona, I think.

All's quiet..

on the East coast.
I've been purposely quiet in leu of my trip to Barcelona.  In fact the most I've done is walk to church(last week).  And I bring hope to all my Canadian friends and family that spring is on it's way.
Jim and I have booked our flights and a place to stay now we have to build some kind of itinerary.  I can't wait.

Crocus' at Grimsby Minster

People's park