2nd Day in Barcelona and Near Tarragona

Yesterday, Tuesday 4th February

Up early again and on an even earlier bus into Barcelona!  This time we hopped on the Green Route tourist bus around the city to the south, east and north.  This took us to the port, the beach and many more beautiful buildings along the way.  We were booked to enter the Sagrada Familia at 12 o'clock.  The bus got us there for 11, so we were able to have a drink close by and do a bit of people-watching before going through a very rigorous security check and queuing to collect our audio guides.  We knew this was going to be amazing - and so it was!  Gaudi's masterpiece, begun in 1882 and due to be completed in 2026.
Our first view of the Nativity Facade - the intricate stonework of the exterior is 'The Bible in Stone'.

 We were taken up into the Nativity tower by lift, then climbed up a spiral stone staircase a bit further, to the viewing platform for amazing views of the city

 and of the beautiful stonework and ornamentations - here of fruits.

 The way down was by 400 steps of the spiral staircase (tops of my legs still aching!).
The interior is devoted to the sacred family and nature.
Inside, the pillars supporting the building are designed like trees growing up into the ceiling and supporting the spires above - 8 of which are built - just 10 to finish in the next 6 years.

 This is an artist's view of the finished work.

 The detail in every part of the building is wonderful.

 The main entrance doors are now complete but not in position yet.  The Lords Prayer in 50 languages.

 Looking up to the ceiling showing leaves on the trees.

 The sun shining through the stained glass windows was for me, the most moving part.  We sat at the side for a while just looking at the colours ....

 (lots more pictures of this available(!|))
Close-up of the main part of the Nativity Facade

 And the Passion Facade

 but so much more detail to absorb.  Watching the builders at work on the tower on the left mind-blowing - how did they get that enormous crane up there for a start?

 Eventually we had to drag ourselves away and catch the bus to see some more of the city.  We stopped off near to Parc Guell, and although we walked up through the gardens to the view of the city, we felt we had to leave visiting Gaudi's imaginative pavilions etc. for another time.

Today, Wednesday 5th February, we've come from Castelldefels

 to Camping Playa y Fiesta at Mont-roig Del Camp, just south of Tarragona - so close to the sea, we can hear the sound of the waves on the beach from our pitch.

 My first February paddle!!

 Some of the beautiful villas behind the beach.

 Watching the sun go down.