Monday, 14th November 


Helen and Iain are due to fly into Barcelona today. Can't wait to see them.


We wake to cloudy skies but venture out anyway.  Due to weather, Peter and Scott have agreed to postpone their walk until Tuesday to see if the weather improves (it doesn't). 


After our coffee at Don Teo we strolled down to Gracia central (if that's what one calls it) and reacquainted ourselves with some of the lovely shops we remember.  The rain started getting heaver so we (me actually) decided to take Peter on a majical mystery tour. We caught a bus to Espanya (a 20 min bus ride - cheap way to see bits of the city as well) and then walked to 'El Poble, a 'fake Spanish village' built in 1929. It is full of small shops and restaurant/cafes representing all the different regions of Spain. There are artists, potters, glassblowers' studios where you can watch the artisans at work and, of course, buy their works.  We had lunch at an Italian style cafe which served a mixture of Italian/Catalan food.  Not bad, not fantastic.  


When we came out the rain was really coming down so we grabbed the first bus that came along. We sort of knew the general direction we wanted to go in and at least we kept dry.  Each stop we'd say, 'should probably get off here' and then, 'Nah, just one more stop'.  We finally got off, caught the Metro home for a little rest before heading out for dinner. 


Dinner? Well, I happened to remember a little tavern called El Disbarat Taverna-Braseria (Montseny 14 ph 932371113)on a little street we went to in the first week we were here in '09. Naturally, as it was only 8.30 pm, we were the only people in the restaurant but that doesn't worry us.  Food was as good as I'd remembered it -  the chef cooks food on char grill over hot coals in view of customers.  We both had lamb & the flavour - lovely smokey flavour!

Chef walking away from char-grill bbq at El Bisbarat Taverna

Tuesday, 15th November


Girls day for Mary, boys day for Peter.  
We met Helen at the train station (so good to see her) and after introducing her to Don Teo's coffee (obligatory to any of our visitors) we caught the Metro into town. Peter to meet up with Scott and Helen and I off to spend some money (unfortunately we weren't terribly successful).  Got Helen and Iain lined up with a Spanish sim card (definitely most economical way to go) & then browsed shops. When it started to rain heavily I decided to take Helen to The Palou for lunch (not for the food but for the ambience).  We we had the ambience alright but the foot was 'rippoffsville'.  Salad for 12 euro bought us a small plate of mixed lettuce, chopped pale (& cold) tomato, & chopped mozarella. It had a little bit of dressing but no sign of the pesto on the menu.  Compare this to Don Teo's - this morning Peter and I had two coffees, a small toasted roast veggie & goats cheese roll, and a tortilla with tomato toast - all for under 11 euro!  Unbelievable!


Peter, on the other hand, was under the guidance of Scott. They ate at a Syrian cafe and had a kebab similar to a donar kebab but better by a mile (Peter's words), with mint tea.  Then played backgammon with owner (after shop closed). Fantastic.  


I met up with the boys in town and we checked out the food market thinking we might cook something for dinner (decided to eat out instead). 

Scott checking out the chillis

With Bao and Scott

at a Palestinian restaurant, Aska Dinya restaurante bar (c/- verdi 28, ph 933685077) I remembered (funny how my memory is exceptional when it comes to food!).  We decided to share & it was sooo yummy.  Scott has been to Palestine and was able to advise us on what to order.  Particularly good was shish tauk - chicken on skewer, with three dips, smashed potato, and salad. 

Scott checking out the chillis

Out to dinner with Scott & Bao 

Wednesday, 16th November
Rain, rain go away. come back another day!  
Off for my 9.30am appointment for a manicure, pedicure & what I thought would be eye brow waxing. I have been looking for a podiatrist for the last few weeks as my feet are starting to get quite sore and I am hoping I might be able to get some relief.  


Lovely Spanish woman who "speaks a little English" actually could speak quite a lot of English & we spoke non-stop for the 2.5 hrs I was there. No eye brow waxing, just painless plucking (too much info?), then the feet. She was a trained masseur & did a brilliant job on my feet. Nice bright red toenails ready for sandals when I get home.   Peter was happy at apartment having a bit of downtime without Mary who, apparently, he finds exhausting at times.  Price for all three services?  33 Euro! Just a wee bit cheaper than Australia! 


Off to Don Teo for morning tea referred to above.  First, Albert's brother Vincence, presented us with two cups & saucers to remember Don Teo by.  Then Albert takes us to the kitchen where Diana is cooking. They present us with a gift - 'La Comida De La Familia'. A beautiful hardback book full of recipes by El Bulli chef Ferran Adria and his staff.  It is full of the recipes the chefs eat in their day-to-day lives, not what is cooked for the restaurant.  We were very, very touched, especially with the inscription inside, I'm so happy. Now I can say: There are good people in the world. I know two of them. They are from Australia. Thank you Mary and Peter for being like you are. Albert, Michas Gracias.  What can I say?



Helen and Iain will join us tonight when we take Simon & Adella to dinner as a thank you for their hospitality with their beach house.  More on that next post.