Barcelona from the Fundació Joan Miró
Easter crept up on me this year, because I spent the greater part of the week leading up to it doing the day job in Barcelona. I was last there in November, when the weather was very similar to how it is now (How I envy the Spanish their short, mild winters!). Long-time readers may remember that I wrote of an earlier visit, in April 2013, when I was lucky enough to be there during the St George’s Day bookshop celebrations, the inspiration for our own World Book Day.
As it happened, there were more opportunities for down time in November and so last week’s distinct lack of them may be compensated by a selection of 2015 photographs of one of the world’s most beautiful and interesting cities. They aren’t in any particular order, but reflect visits to Antoni Gaudí’s inspirational work at Casa Batlló,
Casa Batlló at night
Casa Batlló from the Majestic Hotel
Casa Batlló interior, a photographer’s dream
Park Güell
Park Güell: Some of Gaudí’s least-photographed tiles
Park Güell viaducts: perpendiculars not much in Gaudí’s vocab.
Ditto
Park Güell: restoration
Park Güell: women repair, women prune, women dig and plant
Park Güell
Park Güell
Park Güell: denizen
and Palau Güell
Palau Güell rooftop view
Palau Güell: Wooden setts in the entrance hall to soften the sound of horses’ hooves and carriage wheels
Palau Güell: ceiling detail
Palau Güell: interior light
Palau Güell: favoured catenary arch shape for windows
Palau Güell: triple columns for light and support
Palau Güell: carriage exit
and to the Fundació Joan Miró.
Fundació Joan Miró
Fundació Joan Miró
There are some pictures, too, of places I wandered around and the people and animals I saw as I went. There were cats everywhere: scrawny cats crouching in alleyways, suspicious cats craning their necks from the tiled roofs, a family of sleek, well-fed black and white cats living in a courtyard at the university. Dogs were on and off leash, living happy doggy lives; being an English pointer owner, I was delighted to find a rescued black and white pointer playing on Carmel Hill (Park Güell) with her mum.
Choice!
Predictable, perhaps, but off the beaten tourist track
Echo of Montmartre
Please, Papa!
Nothing mean, here.
Best paws forward
Best paws backward
Parc de Pedralbes: water sculpture
Parc de Pedralbes: tree sculpture
Metro: enjoying Milan Kundera
Metro: The wearable lightness of being – man in hat
Metro: On the other side
The port: view from Montjuïc
Anyway, as I’ve said, this is just a selection, which doesn’t really need much explanation, but I hope you didn’t expect too much in the way of classic views – you can find those in the guide books! Here’s a tourist picture to finish with: woman in Park Güell.
Park Güell: tourist
Christina James, crime novelist 
Lovely Chistina, your husband is not the only one talented with a camera. I thought Barcellona a very exciting City. Enjoyed my visit to the Football Ground! The only one I have ever been to..
Thank you for the reminder of that vibrant City.
Marjorie, hello again! Thank you for this – I’m afraid that, however, wonderful the football club is, I’ll never be a visitor there. The city has excitement elsewhere for me. Best wishes and thanks. 🙂
Lovely photos Christina. I remember nearly all those sights and sites from when I was in Barcelona at the ripe young age of 18! I’m glad to see not too much has changed 🙂
Thank you, as always, Valerie, for commenting and sharing. If I’ve managed to trigger some good memories, I’m very pleased. I expect you’re still 18 inside!
I love Barcelona – though last time I was there I caught giardiasis, which wasn’t so much fun.
So sorry to hear that, Jo. I hope that you have better memories of it, too! Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your working trip to Barcelona. One of my favourite cities 😀 I enjoyed your photographic tour!
Thank you for visiting it with me, Luciana. I’ve been there now about five times and am no nearer exhausting its supply of wonder. 🙂