Barcelona + Bikes = BREATHE

 We counted down the months, weeks and then the days.  BARCELONA - weekend away - wedding anniversary & 40th birthday celebrations - live it up - no kids - just us.  First time away together in 11mths!  Finally, when the date of departure arrived, we had Anna with an ear infection, Jessie off school with a bad cold, and Angus sneezing incessantly.  Murphy's Law poked his unwanted head in but fortunately, was left to be ignored.  A quick trip to the doctors with Monica to put our minds at rest, a bit more cash in her pocket for extra medicine if needed AND WE WERE OFF!


Now this isn't going to be a weekend chronology blog.  One, because I'm tired and still recovering from the weekend and two, because I don't want to bore you.  Of course, it wasn't boring for US.  We had a lovely break away together.

A weekend in Spain certainly wasn't on the original thought list for ways to celebrate my 40th.  The decision was kind of made for us when Ryanair was selling tickets at 19 Euro return.  Time was at a premium with only 3 days to play with and this was a direct flight so we took it.  

With the travel money saved, we splurged on a quirky contemporary hotel called The Mirror and found ourselves in a land of white surrounded by soothing statues of men with wings lounging around.  Oh, and of course, every wall was a mirror (so there was no pretending I was there for my 21st!)

This giant paella had me planning dinner at 11am

Lets get on with it....


My 3 best? - not in order of priority:


1. Hiring a bike and enjoying the fantastic bike lanes right through the centre of the city.  Apparently, Barcelona rates in the top 3 of bike friendly cities in the world and I can definitely see why.  It was awesome.

2. Spending Hours at the Sagrada Familia.  I have to laugh when I think of my initial disappointment at looking at this incredible world heritage site and seeing cranes overhead with workmen and scaffolding etc... Oh, I thought, what a shame we had to come at a time when they're touching it up & cleaning it.  Minutes later, I am flabbergasted to hear that building began in the late 1800's and is expected to finish in about two decades from now!  Building this masterpiece is still in progress...wow.  The architect, Gaudi, who inspired much of the city's architecture, was a man of faith whose vision for the cathedral was to teach all people who saw it, literate or not, about God.  I loved his inspiration from nature and his attention to symbolic detail.

3. Eating Out, No Kids complaining about the meal, Conversing Uninterrupted and Remembering how good it is to just be together.  No elaboration required here other than a hearty encouragement to all those at a similar life stage to keep nurturing that marital relationship.  One day the kids will move out.


We returned home to find all the kids sleeping soundly on Sunday night.  Thank you to Monica who minded Anna, Cheryl upstairs who took care of Sam, and Lena and Hatice who respectively gave Angus and Jessie fantastic weekends with their friends.


Reflections on turning 40?  Another year older and looking forward to the 2nd half of life.  Realistically, this involves embracing some physical limitations along with a few greys and wrinkles, but that's nothing when I weigh it up against large doses of contentedness, thankfulness, and the sheer joy of being alive.  Mid-life here we come!

Downtown view from our balcony

Ross in small goods heaven.  I married a man who likes his meat.

And the dinner that night was....Paella.