Vielha

Headed back into mountains again today and away for 6 hours, I was away with the birds so to speak, the mountains are so peaceful and may have more in common with the ocean than I thought, respect for both goes without saying-I did make the snow line again today and have the pics to show.
Language, is a drawback, very very little English, mostly Catalan, some Spanish and less French but one Aussie word has managed to infiltrate... Have a guess? Here's a clue.. Footwear, you got it, the dreaded Ugg Boot has no Fashion Predator here and there they sitting proudly in the shop window, they may become the McDonalds of the footwear industry but at a slightly higher price(in both senses of the word)
Hit the road tomorrow and it will be adios to Catalunya and Bonjour to France - I think the run off in Presidential Election is taking place this week-end. TV show huge celebration in Madrid for Real but little coverage here..I can't manage to stay away from politics

In the mountains

In Vielha, and here in room on 5th floor sitting on you know what and had window open and staring me in the face were the snow covered mountains. I had to grab the camera and capture a wonderful moment and what I need now is a caption- sitting on the dunny and....
Today
My pics were more hard to come by and got up to the snow line after a 3 hour walk, there was a snow slip and it took everything in its wake. I rather foolishly decided to proceed further and it was akin to walking on a meringue pie. The scenery, the beauty and peace was heavenly and a leisurely walk back completed a most amazing 5 hour walk. Collingwood won't be the only high flyers with this high altitude training.

More
Hard

Cooking class

No, it's not a typing, but if someone had said to me a few weeks ago that I would be doing cooking class in Barcelona, my reply would have been more chance of me appearing in Faulty Towers. We prepared tapas, paella and naturally the sangria was an ongoing side dish-it was great fun and got everyone mixing and laughing.

Barcelona certainly has the "Mañana manana" feel and maybe this is what inspires all the artisans that find home here. There are art pieces everywhere even at the Olympic Stadium but the greatest art for your truly is to be found at the Nou Camp

Today it was a four hour bus ride into the Pyrenees and it is from a little town called Vielha that I make this post. Snow is almost gone and so is the busyness of the town. The beauty coming through the mountains was breath taking, one tunnel was 5.4 Kim's long.
So still in Catalunya and enjoying the warmth and friendship of it's people. IF you get the chance do a quick Google on Antonio Gaudi - possibly the most famous and inventive of the region's past inhabitants but also the most colorful - check him out

Mes que un club.

Walking Tour Barcelona's gothic old city

It was like home a church on every corner each giving a wonderful glimpse of times past. The Romans also thought it was a good place to stay and their temple is a whole 19 meters above sea level (highest point). Piscasso's haunts were also pointed out which led us to some of the Spanish Civil War Sites. The only evidence of Spanish flags are only to be found on Official buildings. Catalans with their own language see themselves as separate to the rest of Spain and Barcelona is catalunya's largest and most controversial city and here in the ramble is a city that never goes to sleep.
Food for the mind but now food for the body! Tonight cooking lesson for a Spanish meal, make and drink paella,sangria and tapas. I will head out and work up appetite

Barca

Arrived 1pm and once I got off the bus in the city centre, the humm of the place was everywhere, it was so inviting, people sitting, laughing, restaurants, bars all ready for business and Lionel Messi'a shirt is everywhere. Each and every shop hadan array and not a mention of Pepe's
The feature for me was the absence of cars and narrow lane ways between the magnificent buildings- truly unique and a must see and the Tapas bars are every where. So it will be either cycling or walking tomorrow in an effort to soak in more of this magnificent city. Maybe I'll try to add a few pics as words can't really describe the uniqueness of s place.