Captain's Blog Day 1

---

We were a little late setting off due to my suitcase being 3k overweight and there was nothing I could take out. Eventually I put some stuff in Neil's case and off we went. Everything went amazingly like clockwork despite nearly missing the plane and very soon we were in Barcelona. I don't know why I don't come here more often - its just down the road.

There's a strange yellow thing in the sky which is an unusual brilliant blue colour. Our hotel The Royal Ramblas is right on Las Ramblas which must be one of Europe's most vibrant streets. We checked in then went off for a long walk, stopping for a beer in a lovely spot on the harbour. Neil began to start thinking about food so we went off without delay in search of tapas. Everywhere was very expensive and we didn't want to eat a big meal bearing in mind what we will have on offer for the next 2 weeks so we were very restrained choosing a little tapas bar over the lovely restaurants on the pier!

The guys still came along selling things and playing music, and Neil must have been in the holiday mood because he bought me 2 roses! Then rather than take a taxi home he suggested we get on some sort of rickshaw with a guy cycling behind to power us along.

I was a bit worried about the skinny 12 year old that came along but he assured is he would be okay. We went very slowly and Neil had to get off at one point to get up a hill!!

Anyway, it was lovely and he dropped us off at the foot of Las Ramblas which is even more fun at night. We dived down a side street in search of a cigar for Neil, and discovered a beautiful square where we finished the evening with a nightcap before returning to the hotel.

Roll on tomorrow - I can't wait to see my ship!

---