Made it!

Well, we arrived safely in Barcelona. Though not without incident, of course. But the main thing is that all the bookings were correct, which is always a wee worry at the back of my mind, no matter how many times I (don't) check them.

First thing we will be doing tomorrow is shoe shopping. And Barcelona is a perfect place for that, I am told. The reason we are going shoe shopping (so soon!) is that JR, from all her stock of shoes, chose a comfy pair of boots that she hasn't worn since NZ. What happened to them? Bits kept falling off the soles, but not until we got to the airport. Unusually, only one pair was brought.

We booked a transfer from the airport, and this proved to be eventful. This charming young lady met us, and brought us to the pick up point, where we waited for about 45 minutes for the van to come. She was on the phone every few minutes, and declared he was 'one minute away'. I don't know if it was the driver or the girl who was telling us porkies.

When he eventually came, he was obviously having a bad day, and talked to himself, gesticulating and laughing and shaking his head. I was quite pleased that another British couple had joined us. Especially when he pulled over, stopped the engine, and sat looking at something and talking to himself and giving big exasperated sighs.

Eventually he got out. We exchanged panic stricken glances with the Brits. The term of Spanish lessons, even if I had remembered any of it, would not have covered such a situation.

However, he was picking up two more passengers. We proceeded into the city, turned up a wee street, and we were looking out for the hotel. No hotel. Just a door. He assured us this was our destination and we should press Flat 1 doorbell (there were many to choose from).

It's not a hotel, as such, but 'apartments' ie lots of rooms, with a shared lounge/ breakfast room. 'Jooki' (not sure how to spell it, but that's what it sounded like) also lives here, met us and showed us our room. It's small, but clean. With free wifi.

I didn't take many photos today, but this is our lovely Spanish girl who met us at the airport. I asked her name. Lesley. Not your typical Spanish name.

Barcelona shops here we come!