Palafrugell

Calella de Palafrugell is a small town on the Costa Brava about two hours drive from Barcelona. We spent a couple of weeks here out of season and were mostly lucky with the weather. 

The sea on all our local beaches was crystal clear. This is the biggest stretch of beach in Calella.

We took a short walk along the coast to the neighbouring town Llafranc.

Look how clear it is!

This is the entrance to the Botanical Gardens. Elton John played here in the summer.

It takes about an hour to walk around and has some amazing views.

Amanda, Carrie and Dan.

One of Palafrugells other top attractions and the only one of its kind, Museo el Suro (Museum of corks). Yep, a museum full of cork, even the sign was made out of cork stoppers.

That's right, you can buy cork dust in the cork museum!

We visited Tamariu which was just a short drive away. There was a beach and that was pretty much it!

Barcelona

Back to Barcelona! This time for their biggest festival - La Mercé (The city's patron saint).

It's big on tradition - and an insight into Catalan culture and its past. Just out of shot was a guy in full dress on his iPhone.

I love the smell of gunpowder in the morning.

Eggplanting. Trust him to find this one.

Thousands of people pack into Placa de Jaume for the castellers.

Dave and Duncan decided to take a back seat this time, after helping form the base a few years back.

Late afternoon we hit the Catalan wine and cava fair. See Chorizoburps for more detail.

This gave us some dutch courage to head to the correfoc (fire run) without our usual long-sleeved, hooded jumpers as protection. Yes, it did burn and we woke up smelling of burnt hair the next day but at least Duncs got to meet Daft Punk.

Remember safety first kids!

YIKES!

Onto more civilised things... we paid a visit to the local childrens hospital open day. Talented ol' Doctor Pabs branded the whole event and brought it to life with his colourful characters. Fab job!

We also visited the newly opened - Born Cultural Centre. 

Roman ruins were discovered when rebuilding the main market.

Absinthe in Bar Marsella

Sagrada Familia

Barcelona v Valladolid at Camp Nou

We finally got to show Dan and Amanda La Champaneria. It wasn't too busy either which was a first. Bottle of cava for 6 euros, amazing!

Benicarlo - Peñiscola

We decided to have a rest between going from Murcia to Barcelona (city life does get tiring) in Benicarlo. There is an amazing four km stretch of beach which goes to Peñiscola the small town where El Cid was filmed.

The beach two minutes from our apartment.

Peñiscola.

Don't worry I got my haircut a week later.

We both did, really recommended for a beach holiday where you just want to relax.

Los Alcazares - Mar Menor

We spent a day at what is the 'worlds biggest natural swimming pool', Mar Menor is a huge lagoon near Murcia. We've included a couple of photos, if you look closely you can see the building on the sand bar separating the lagoon from the ocean.

Alicante

Only an hour away from Murcia we decided to have a beach day in Alicante.

The view of the city from Castillo de Santa Barbara.

The Port.

Strangely placed fish tank on Plaza Nueva

Murcia

We spent a couple of weeks in Spain's seventh largest city, Murcia. The city was celebrating one of their main festivals Moros y Cristianos, so there was quite a lot of partying and parades going on each night.

The city's main attraction is the Cathedral Santa Maria, beautiful on the outside and about the same as every other cathedral on the inside.

FC Murcia's football stadium

It was pretty hot while we were there, averaging about 32 celsius, so we spent a few days at a Zoo/Water park just outside the city centre. We made some friends, finally! (Also we made this Rhino jump out of its skin!) 

Carries best mates.

The main parade that went through the centre of the city

Love locks on the Puente de los Peligros

Blues Brother Gigantes for Dillon

Crystal Fighters.

Amazing live band!