From the middle of the old bull ring.

In to Barcelona again. Collette was due some retail therapy of which Barcelona has plenty to offer. I had some electronics to buy and in desperate need of a barber so we parted ways for most of the day.

As a general observation on prices in Spain compared to Australia so far I would say they are mixed. Food and drinks are cheaper if you stick to the Spanish basics. Local wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks are much cheaper. However Scotch whisky is dearer. Clothes are much the same with the world wide problem of indifferent quality. And to round it off the barber was half price.

While searching for my electronics and barber I tried to catch a few of Barcelona’s highlights I hadn’t yet seen. The first was a visit to the old bull ring where Collette saw a bull fight in 1975.

Plaza de Toros Monumental de Barcelona

Commonly known as La Monumental, it has held bull fights since 1914 with the last in 2020. It is currently used for sporting events, concerts and circus shows.

Seating capacity is 19,500. You can hire a cushion going in.

Bulls waiting pens.

Tiny chapel for the matadors.

Outer access ring.

I next took off on a long and hot walk to the beach just to have a look.

Just to prove I can photograph something not 100 years old.

Looking south with the Hotel Vela (Sail Hotel) in the background.

Looking north. Very handy close to the city centre, but just a beach.

Just a water tower but well decorated.

Next I headed to the Barcelona version of the Arc de Triomf.

The Arc was designed by Josep Vilaseca for the 1888 World Fair and served as the main entrance to the fair.

The High Court of Justice.

After a little bit of joint shopping where Collette bought me some beautiful new shirts, we headed to the top floor cafeteria of a nearby department store. This place was absolutely humming, huge amount of tables all full, and serving good food and drinks at modest prices. DJ’s and Myer could learn a lot.

It also had some great views.

We stayed cool in the cafeteria until the bus came. Tomorrow we explore the local town to our camp site, Mataro. The Les Santes – Mataro summer festival starts tomorrow so may be a big night.

David & Collette