First day in Barcelona

Up early and out to the bus stop for the L94 into the centre of Barcelona.  After talking to Natalie and David last night about their experience here, we decided on taking one of the tourist open-topped buses around part of the city and hop-on and hop-off today.  There's no way we can see everything in just 2 days, but admiring the beautiful buildings and sights, listening to the audio guide, in the sunshine, was perfect for us. 

 We got off at the Anella Olimpica to have a stroll and a bite to eat

 then walked down to the MNAC  museum (medieval art collection) - closed on Mondays.

 Next pop-off the bus was at La Pedrera (means 'the stone quarry').  From Top 10 Highlights:  This was Gaudi's last great civic work before he dedicated himself to the Sagrada Familia (we are going there tomorrow).  Completed in 1912, this is an undulating apartment block with its out-of-this-world roof. 

 The visit first took us up in a lift to the roof to view the amazing sculptured chimneys.

 Great views from up there too.

 We could see the Sagrada Familia from here.

 In the 'attic' exhibition area with arches shaped to represent the skeleton of a snake.

 This picture is looking into a large mirror - Gaudi made models with hanging chains to create shapes then looking at them in the mirror, would show how the shapes will look in his construction.

 Examples of his furniture.

 Next, we were able to see an apartment with its very spacious and unusually shaped rooms. 

 Of course we took loads more photos, but this is a selection. 
After the last part of the bus tour, we walked into the Barri Gotic to see Barcelona Cathedral.  We didn't go inside as we felt we'd done enough for one day.  (That decision probably age-related!)