Barcelona

23.9.17 7.50 a.m. set off for Montserrat another highlight. Stunning views and great to be among the first to see the Black Madonna – first coach in the car park and miraculous how Bernardo reversed out! An excellent driver. The crowds arrived soon after us with a big queue for the Madonna. Lit candle. Did a sketch of the amazing rock formations which I remembered well from 1974. Went back into the church magnificent organ and lovely sculpture in Blessed Sacrament chapel. Bought nice things in shop and good to know boys choir still sings at 1 p.m. To Sagrada Familia with guide Santi wonderful and excellent museum downstairs. We were lucky to get in as it was open day for the locals so had to be booked online. Queue for security. Finished at 2.45 which worked well as we got our stuff off the coach and jumped in a taxi to the Picasso museum who took us quite close. He had to open a special barrier. The museum is very good and interesting to see his Meninas the Velasquez we saw at the start of the trip! Finally got a taxi back for E10 to the hotel. Lots of police about and in fact there was trouble at the referendum the following Sunday. Had a spa bath in our room. Some of the bathrooms had really awkward problems getting in and out of the shower. Final meal at nice restaurant but we ended up at the end of the table with nobody on my right! Rather annoying but enjoyed the meal. Filled in comments form and mentioned Malaga and Salamanca café but no real complaints.

So a marvellous trip ended. Peter was an excellent tour director and I loved his comment that when our cases were packed away we no longer had to think about getting them out of the room an hour early for the coach! Excellent driver too and the local guides were brilliant especially in Cordoba and Grenada. Highly recommended.

24.9.17 early coach so not able to get to 8 a.m. Mass Long boring wait at Barcelona airport. British Airways flight . Home at 3.30 quite tired. Unpacked.