Recovery Day

Both of the fellas woke with colds today, so we took it easy and declared a quiet day. We spent the morning mooching in pj's then decided to head for the beach and some sunshine. Given the delicate nature of our blokes we opted for the subway, and easily navigated the four stations to the city beach at Barceloneta.

Murray note the A380 zooming past the W Hotel to land at Barcelona airport- we think if you request a room around 20th floor you could easily monitor all traffic!

The beach was packed by our standards, but not like we had seen at Biarritz and mostly sunbathers rather than swimmers so the kids didnt get in trouble splashing around. Being a man made beach it was sandy rather than rocks, and the water was clean(ish) and refreshingly cold!

Rather than pay the exorbitant beach bar prices we headed back a few streets towards the city for lunch, and found a great little spot with a something for everyone- Jack ANOTHER burger, Amy mussels AGAIN, and we enjoyed some baby squid and other nibbles. Not to mention a really friendly restauranteur who made us feel completely welcome. Tough gig indeed.

I bribed the kids with icecream to swing them back througn the markets on our way back to our apartment... We walked back via El Born and the old town street past heaps of funky bars, eateries and shops.

I had spotted a seafood place in the Boqueria (food market) on a quick recce mission yesterday so we stocked the kids up with fruit salads and smoothies and muscled our way into a spot at the bar. My my my! Well worth it... Calamari, Baccalao with cannelini beans and wine and Octopus. All served by the fishy version of the soup nazi (think Seinfeld) who spared us a grudging smile when he saw how much we were enjoying the fare.

Home for an early night and we change digs tomorrow so not sure what the day will hold especially if Baz and Jack still snuffly. We have really enjoyed this apartment but the one we have booked for next two nights looks fab, and should introduce us to another side of Barcelona too.