Since returning from Barcelona, life seems to have got the better of me and I’ve found that I’ve had little time to myself over the past few weeks. Not only to sort out the photos like I promised, but also to formulate my thoughts into some semblance of cohesion. I suppose, it does one good to have a break away from blogging, it can become an all consuming obsession, if you let it!

My schedule, personally and with work is quieter next week and I should be able to sit down and get my head straight, and maybe finally get some of the Barcelona photos up and to catch up on laundry. That is an altogether different story.

Even though I haven’t posted. I have been keeping tabs on those blogs that I read regularly, so i don’t feel too much out of the loop.

Today has been pretty chilled in more ways than one, after yesterday’s scorching sunshine, today was a lot cooler and cloudy. As such we decided to walk up to the university and explore the shops and see where the winding side streets led us. Along the way we made a few purchases and stopped periodically for drinks and a rest. Due to all the walking Ian has developed a bad knee and has had some problems walking and climbing stairs, but nothing that has hindered our experience.

Quite by accident we stumbled upon what must be the Islamic quarter of the city where the majority of the shop’s signs and notices were in Arabic. We didn’t stick around too long as we were getting some strange looks, but then again it might just have been my imagination. Ian has nicknamed this area “Little Iraq”.

From there we made our way via La Rambla to the Barri Gotic area and the now more familiar streets and shop’s where I picked up a few gifts. On our return to the hotel we had a little nap, can’t you tell we’re getting old!

Once we’d woken, showered, shaved and changed we went back out to a nice little restaurant we’d found not too far from the hotel. We both indulged in a nice fillet steak each to finish off our stay.

We fly home tomorrow on the 7.20pm plane back to Leeds-Bradford so we only have the morning to play with, once we’ve packed that is.

Next post should see me back home in Penistone once I’ve had chance to sort out the best photos.

Also it’s back to work on Wednesday. Yipee! Not!

We gave up on the Picasso Museum as soon as we saw the queue! Spent the whole morning by the beach and Port Vell, didn´t realise just how strong the sun was as we´ve both quite caught the sun!

I know it´s been snowing back home, but when the sun is as strong as it is here, it´s quite unreal.

This afternoon we had a walk around the gothic quarter of Barcelona and took in some of the architecture and sights that are bountiful in this part of the old town. It was pretty quiet being a Sunday, but there were still plenty of people aboout. Found a really nice restuarant, very old world Spain, fantastic fillet steak and very reasonable too!

I forgot to mention, on Thursday night, the  night we arrived, Ian and I were accosted by three lady prostitues on our way back to our hotel after having a meal out. I wouldn´t really mention it, apart from the fact that these women were obviously onto a loosing game from the outset, but later we found out that the reason they were touching us up wasn´t really the reason we thought. The nice lady in the hotel told us they were searching for our wallets and were probably pick-pockets. Luckily for us, we´d already heard that pick-pockets were a problem and so had moved our wallets to our front pockets instead. It all adds to the local colour!

After breakfast and taking some t-shirts back that didn’t fit, either European sizes are smaller or Ian and I have put on weight since we arrived! We jumped on the Metro and made our way to the Parc Zoologic. After paying our entrance fee, almost 15 Euros each, we made our way inside. We knew it would be busy being a Saturday but we were very suprised to see the queue for the dolphin show extend almost halfway around the park. The zoo has the usual array of exhibits but what suprised me was the wide variety of species, for example not only did they have lions, tigers and leopards but black panthers, linx and cougars also.

I was very pleased to see giraffes, rhinos, hippopotamuses, elephants and a wide selection of monkeys and gorillas. Ian attempted to engage a chimpanzee in conversation, the young chimp was obviously not in the mood as he very pointedly turned his back on Ian, much to my amusement. As soon as Ian walked away the chimp turned back around! I took almost 4 hours to get around the zoo, which in my book is a great day out. After we left the zoo, with tired feet we took refuge in a small bar by the beach and people watched until our feet and legs had recovered.

From there we walked along the beach front at Barceloneta up to the huge golden fish sculpture and back again to Port Vell. By this time our legs were dropping off so we wearily made our way back to the hotel. We have decided to save the Picasso Museum until tomorrow.

I guess tonight will be a short trip out for an evening meal and then back to the hotel for an earlyish night. We’re too long in the tooth now for clubbing after the day’s exercise we’ve had.

This morning we took the Metro to the Sagrada Familia, it’s really the only place here that’s on top of both our sightseeing wishlists. Neither of us were disapointed in what we saw. The temple’s construction started in 1882 and is still very much a work in progress. The temple is a must for any visitor to Barcelona as words can not do justice to this architectural marvel. I will post some photos and upload my DVD bid to YouTube as soon as I get back. Tomorrow is the zoo and Picasso Museum.

This week already seems to have flown past, I’ve been trying to cram 5 days work into 3 days and not really being that successful. I wish I had a TARDIS or one of those time turners that hermione Granger has in the Harry Potter books, then I just might be able to do everything I need to do before I go to Barcelona.

Talking of TARDISes, have you seen the new trailer for the start of season 4 of Doctor Who? If you haven’t enjoy it. I’m going to be away for the first episode, but have set my media centre to record it, can you get the BBC in Spain?

It’s been a while since my last post, life seems to have gotten in the way as it so often does. Since the Easter bank holiday I don’t seem to have had a minutes peace, and quite a lot has happened but I’ll try and remember everything. So starting at the bank holiday, we share the bank holiday with our anniversary, this year we celebrated our 9th year, seems only like yesterday when we met to be honest, we use the Easter bank holiday Monday as our anniversary date even though it’s different each year, as neither of us can remember exactly what date it was back in 1999. This year we ent out for a great meal at the Thai Pavillion, (Station Parade, Harrogate) the food, service, atmosphere and price were brilliant and I can’t recommend this place highly enough.

We also picked up the tickets for Barcelona over the weekend, we fly out on the 3rd April. Can’t wait. On the Monday we didn’t really do much, caught up on sleep, watched Tv and generally vegetated in front of the TV. On my way back home to I stopped off at the hole in the wall at the bank to draw out some money, only to find that my account was empty. It shouldn’t have been. On the following day and back at work, I went into the bank in my lunch hour and asked them to investigate. It seems that due to a an error, someone had incorrectly transferred all my money into someone elses account. They obviously apologised and tried to rectify the error, which they did to a certain extent. During the period my money was missing, my mortgage company had also tried to take a paymeny, which bounced, and consequently they also charged me for their trouble. I then had to sort all that out too. My bank have offered to pay all charges on my mortgage and my normal account, but I’m still not happy. I feel the need to shout at someone other than the woman who has tried to put things right, who has been as sweet as can be throughout the whole affair.

Last week, work was a nightmare, someone tried to blame me for something that had gone horribly wrong. I wasn’t to blame and made my thoughts and feelings perfectly plain about the whole issue and what I thought about that certain person trying to use me a scapegoat.

Although it wasn’t my fault it fell to me to try and salvage the whole situation, because suprise, suprise I’m the only one with the necessary experience and qualifications to do so. I have done and everyone involved have been very complimentary except the person who tried to point the finger of blame in my direction. She, has remained tight lipped throughout. I will deal with her in time, as Shakespeare said, “revenge is a dish…” etc.

Had a reasonable weekend this weekend, had a couple of meals out with Ian, we bought a couple of DVDs and have watched those this weekend, one was an old Agatha Christie story which neither of us had seen before, even though it was made in 1981. That was enjoyable, we both love Agatha Christie’s work and also the Poirot & Marple series and own every episode on DVD, this was a stand alone story called The Seven Dials Mystery which has only just been released. We didn’t guess the ending.

It’s now Sunday night and I’m back home having forgotten today was clock adjusting day due to day light savings. I’ve lost an hour and now feel slightly out of sync with everything.

It’s a short week at work as we fly out on Thursday. There is internet at the hotel so watch out for posts if I don’t manage to post again at home before we go.

“Ad Astra”

1917-2008

RIP

I’m glad that the recent unpleasantness over the divorce settlement has finally come to a conclusion.

Perhaps now she’ll finally shut the f*ck up!

Ok, so it’s not in the league of having the Mona Lisa vandalised, or having the penis knocked off Michaelangelo’s David. It’s not even in the league of having someone throw paint over a Tracy Emin sculpture, but then again, would we notice the difference.

I’m talking of personal grafitti, the deliberate act of writing or drawing on your own body, either temporary or permanently. Tattoos have been part of our worldwide tribal culture since man first learned to use tools and ink over 4,000 years ago, we are familiar with tattoos, familiar with the tribal culture that they represent. Tattoos have been classified as body art for a long time, but only since the 19th century have words and slogans been included in tattoo art.

I myself have two tattoos, one on my left arm, which is a tribal design encircling my entire bicep, the second tattoo is a stylised bat on my right shoulder blade which, for obvious reasons, I can’t see on a daily basis, therefore I sometimes forget it’s there. The one on my arm I see everyday and depending on whether I wear long or short sleeves depends how much I see it.

I like tattoos, don’t get me wrong, I think they can enhance a person’s body; make them sexier. I also think that the addition of tattoos to some people does the complete opposite. I refer to  Mr David Beckham. Once again he has defiled his body with the addition of new tattoo. This time it’s a Chinese proverb.

The proverb reads: “Death and life have determined appointments. Riches and honour depend upon heaven.” It’s another of his tattoos that are fragmented and unconnected to the rest, there is no general theme to his body art, it seems to be a case of where ever there is enough space. Tattoos are permanent, and if you get it wrong, can be very embarrassing, as in the case of his incorrectly spelled Hindi tattoo depicting the name of his wife Victoria, you can’t just rub them out and start again!

Tattoos as enhancements are great, but I really don’t think that they do anything for David Beckham, in fact just the opposite, they detract from his physical beauty. I wonder how long companies like Armani will consider David Beckham as the face or crotch of choice for their product if he continues to ruin the very thing that people want to see.

I’m convinced the pose he was placed in for the Armani men’s underwear advert was deliberate to hide as many of his tattos from the camera lens as possible.