Barcelona

Chimneys of Casa Mila

SUNDAY 24 - WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2009

After my two week visit to see Jess and help her find her first house, I returned to Barcelona.  We managed some more sightseeing including the Plaza de Espana with its famous Magic Fountain, Montjuic, the Poble Espanyol, which was built for the 1929 International Exhibition and the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya which has an impressive collection of art dating from 12th Century. 

 

During the next couple of days we concentrated on Gaudi, visiting the Parc Guell and various Gaudi buildings, including the Sagrada Familia. We also managed a visit to The Ice Bar, where the temperature is kept at about -5 degrees and everything is made of ice, including the glasses you drink out of!

There is certainly plenty to keep you occupied in Barcelona, and would be an excellent choice for overwintering, as the prices at Port Olympic are very reasonable for long term stays.

We booked an extra couple of nights at the Marina as the weather looks better to make the 120 mile crossing to Menorca on Thursday.

MARINA: Port Olympic, Barcelona - 51 euros for 2 nights, including electricity and 30% discount.

Barcelona

WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 2009

I was flying home to see our daughter and help her look for her first house.  My flight to the UK was late afternoon, so Roger and I managed some more sight seeing including the fantastic Maritime Museum and the Museuo de Erotica. We had visited the Museuo de Arte Erotica about 10 years ago, which had included pictures by Picasso, amongst others, but were disappointed in it now as it was about a third of the size and they had definitely taken the ‘art’ out of it.

Barcelona Maritime Museum

Montserrat

Montserrat

TUESDAY 5 MAY 2009

We took the train and cable car to visit the monastery at Montserrat – how come the monks always get the best real estate? The views were outstanding, as the monastery is situated 725 meters up the 1236m high mountain of Mont Serrat, which is made up of weird shaped conglomerate rocks. 

The excellent Museum houses world famous paintings by Picasso, Dali, Ramon Casas and Caravaggio. There are some superb walks up the mountain, with hermits’ caves and small chapels on the way. It was especially beautiful with the spring flowers.

Vilanova to Barcelona - 31 Miles

La Rambla

MONDAY 4 MAY 2009

We arrived at the friendly Port Olympic Marina in Barcelona just after lunch and managed a stroll up the Ramblas, a visit to FNAC with our faulty Television, and a meal at The Hard Rock Café.



PORT OLYMPIC MARINA:  Cheaper than Port Vell.
Diesel – 0.95 c. per litre, 70 euros

Castello de la Plana to Bahia des Alfacs, Ametlla de Mar and Vilanova

A strong Force 6 blowing, but fairly comfortable anchorage

WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL - FRIDAY 1 MAY 2009

Getting diesel was quite a palaver, as we had to say how much diesel we wanted and couldn’t just fill the tanks up, so we had to guess. The machine would not accept my cards, so the marinero used his card and we had to give him cash. We finally left about 10.00 a.m. in sunshine. We managed to sail for a while and then Roger put the cruising shute up for the first time this year – it only involved two swearing sessions putting it up, but a few more getting it down. The boat is sailing very well and managed about 6.5 knots in a gentle breeze with the spinnaker. 

Bahia des Alfaces is a very large bay sheltered by a sand spit and salt lake. We motored about 6 miles to the further end of the bay to get the most shelter from any swell and anchored. The holding is excellent in sand or mud and should be protected in any weather.

The next day we relaxed at anchor and Roger gave the Seahopper another outing, trying to perfect the lug sail rig. He only seems to be able to go down wind at the moment. Luckily it’s got oars!

The wind blew up to a strong Force 6, so we decided to spend another day at anchor in the sheltered lagoon.

Diesel: 95 euros; 95c litre


2 MAY

BAHIA DE ALFACS- AMETLLA DE MAR - 47 MILES

The wind was still quite strong in the morning but had eased by lunch time, so we set off about 12.30 p.m. Roger wanted to sail off the anchor, which we managed, but almost immediately we ran aground in the shallow waters – a bit worrying when there is little tide to help lift you off! We managed to get off using full engine and using the sails to heel the boat slightly.

We managed to sail most of the way using the Spinnaker and later with the head sail poled out, and only had to motor the last 5 miles – our carbon footprint has just improved! Dolphins welcomed us to the port about 8.30 p.m.

3 MAY 2009

AMETLLA DE MAR - VILANOVA - 57 MILES

Set off in a Force 5 – 6 and had two reefs in the main, but within half an hour the wind dropped to a Force 3 and then a Force 2

MARINA VILANOVA - 31 euros