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Published: August 8th 2007
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Hola! We have just returned from spending two weeks in Spain, and are now in London packing up our lives of the past 3 years into final boxes and getting last things organised.
We left on the 23rd July for London and as per usual with the last few months here in London it rained for our departure. Arrived into Barcelona where the weather was brilliant and warm. We spent 4 nights in Barcelona in a place called "Arthostal" a converted home into a 3 roomed hostal of sorts. It was in the business district and only a 10 minute walk to La Rambla - the main drag in Barcelona. We spent a lot of time at the beach and on our way down we saw an Aussie guy handing out brochures for bike tours around the city on Chopper Bikes! Stoked.
The tour lasted for 3 hours and it took in all the sites and sounds of Barcelona - Sagrada, The Beach, The Bull fighting ring, Arc de Triomf and surrounding park. The guide was a young english lad and he had loads of usuful information and lunch and a pint of beer or Sangria was thrown in
at the end. Lowlight of our time there was the Mugging that happened to Kristyn and Jules. Young man comes along, asks for the time - Kris didn't have it, pointed to Jules who did and the wee lad thought he'd help himself to Jules wallet that was under her arm as she gave the polite lad the time he asked for. 40 euro gone, but two "good samaritans" returned with her wallet with all cards intact saying they found it on the street. Good guys eh, but I'm sure there little friend gave them a slice of the kitty!
From Barcelona we went to the Airport to pick up our rental car. We took off at lightning speed to get to San Sebastian in time to get to the only camping ground for a spot. Not reading signs we jumped on the motorway - obviously getting us there quickest, and passed through two reasonalby cheap tolls then getting stung with another one that costed us nearly 20 euro! From there on in it was all the back roads for us.
Arrived in San Sebastian around 6pm to find no more spots in the camping ground, but got
Park Picnic
Jonny, Scott, Krissy and Jules directed to another one in a smaller town about 20 km away. No room, so we had to freedom camp it in a farmers field. Jonny got the message across using his fluent hand signals and excellent Spanish that the farmers gave us the green light to pitch up. Shops closed no beer in sight, pasta on the cooker - and our wee stripey tent out in the open for the first time.
Up early, made a mission back to the camping ground and after a couple of hours lining up we had out spot. Met a lovely Danish couple and Irish couple and told a few lies over a few beers in the sun that evening. Hit the beaches daily, body surfed, threw the old ball around for the next few days. Climbed to a beautiful vantage point overlooking the beaches of San Sebastian, delved into the small streets and bars.
Jonny and I were looking for some waves to body surf on and our Danish friends told us that they saw 7 metre waves further around the coast in Bilbao so off we went hoping to find some. Long drive - not taking the tolled highways
and found a pretty average camping ground and no waves.
From there we drove to Madrid. Once again taking the back roads, we drove through the most beautiful road through small villages and sunflower and grain fields. Madrid was nice. The driving was pretty hectic as you are able to park where you like - literally. Jonny spent his last night us before heading to Marseille. Kris and I spoiled ourselves a bit and went to Movie World just out of Madrid. Great day - but unbelievably hot - almost topped out at 40 degrees. No lines to go on anything so got to go on everything. A spanish family adopted us on one of the water rides and we ended up going on it with them 3 times. Everyone soaked and laughing although we couldn't understand a word of what each other were saying!
Back to Barcelona for two nights before heading back to London. Spent the last few days getting a last top up on the tan then headed into town on Sunday night to catch a bull fight. Something that I have always wanted to do, and I suppose I'm glad that I have done
it but not sure about it at the same time. Kris didn't come with me but waited outside. At the ticket office there were a number of police and protesters about the event and I received a flyer about the things they do to the bulls and the horses that they use in the event before it has even begun. The bulls they tie heavy sacks on their backs, starve them, saw down their horns, keep them in the dark and generally mistreat them in the days leading up to the fight.
The event starts with much pomp and ceremony. It's starts, the bull gets run around a lot, the matador comes in, the bull gets stabbed with 4 short staff like swords, then the finale, the matador should kill the bull with one sword to the spine. Unfortunately the 2 fights that I stayed for it took the first Matador 2 attemps, and the 2nd matador it took him 5 attempts. The bull is then uncerimoniously dragged from the ring by two horses.
Back to London. Looking forward to flying out oin Saturday. Hope everyone is well.
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Andrew
non-member comment
Good times
Good little trip to Espana eh? Good idea to use this website rather than send the old group emails. Take care and enjoy yourselves in Africa- that place will blow your minds. Andrew