A visit to the seaside. Eventually.

Coffee and croissant for breakfast at a local cafe, then a wander round the Gracia district a bit more. We then decided to head for Sitges, as the day was turning hot. But we I mis-remembered where we got the train for Sitges, and so ended up walking miles [EDIT by JR: actually, it was few blocks] in the centre of the city in the heat.

Tickets bought, and the Sitges train was due in a few minutes on Platform 1. It was already crowded with families all going to the seaside for the day. We couldn't bear to have to stand for the half hour journey, and so we gently squirmed our way to the front. The train came right on time, 12:59, and we leapt on and got a seat, thank goodness. But we noticed that not many other people got on. In fact, there was plenty of room in our carriage. Maybe they weren't going to the beach after all. Probably visiting family for the holiday...

JR had not recognised the destination at the front of the train, and began to get edgy. What if it wasn't the right train? I assured her that of course it was- it was the right time and the right platform, therefore it must be the right one! But we were both a little anxious for a while, laughingly remembering how stressful it was when we got the wrong train out of Rome and headed off east instead of north for miles and miles before it stopped. That was NOT fun in 30 degrees.

Then we spotted 'Sitges' signs on the motorway beside the railway line. Yes, we were going the right direction! Phew.

But we whizzed through Sitges station without even slowing down!! How far was the next place? Bearing in mind the train hadn't actually stopped anywhere...

The ticket man came along and was Very Cross. We were not supposed to be on that train. We would have to get off at the next station and go back to Barcelona and take the proper train.

So we got off, and found a NICE ticket man, who told us to get the next train going back, which stopped at Sitges. I was rapidly going off the whole idea anyway.

However, we did get there, and it was a nice wee place. The sun had gone by this time, and I was glad I had my jacket, though I did resist being the only person in town with a wooly hat on.

It was absolutely mobbed. Probably all those families who got on the correct train back in Barcelona. Very trendy shops and bars. And designer dogs everywhere.

We had lunch down on the seafront. Maybe not such a good idea. In fact, we had to wait about an hour for our first course to arrive. Can't take that long to throw together a few lettuce leaves, raw onions and grated carrot... However, we were sitting down, which we both appreciated.

This shot looks posed, but the kids were standing like that when I snuck up behind them.

We're back at our luxury abode, having a wee rest, and might be tempted out again later for a couple of cañas. And I've found out how to type that properly!