Taking a break ...

My apologies for my rather poor performance in updating the blog recently, things have been rather busy over the last few weeks. However, last weekend saw our annual city break with friends Graham, Barbara, Jim and Linda and our destination this year was Barcelona, capital of the Catalan region of Spain.

I have been visiting Barcelona each February for the past five years, to participate in the Mobile World Congress, one of the biggest trade shows in our industry. So, for me, the city felt more like a workplace than a leisure destination. Fortunately, this weekend reset that feeling and I am now a convert to the many delights of this city.

It's going to be hard to do justice to the weekend without writing loads, so in the interest of brevity, I will list our main activities with links for those of you who may also want to visit.

Friday - I arrived in time for breakfast, only 12 hours after Blue1 were supposed to get me there (the letter of complaint is next on the to do list after this post). We took the red route on the Bus Turistic to get our bearings. Tapas and Sangria for lunch in the Bari Gotic, then to the Sagrada Familia and Casa Mila (two of the most famous Antoni Gaudi designed landmarks in the city). Dinner in a harbourside restaurant at the port.

Saturday - up and off for the blue route. Stopped off at Parc Guell for more Gaudi design, then the Blue Tram and funicular railway up to Tibidabo. Walked back down to the bus and home for a rest before dinner at Les Quinze Nits, great food at very good prices (though you need to queue for around half an hour to get in).

Sunday - walked down the Ramblas in the rain, great Tapas and Cava for lunch at El Xampanyet, exploring Port Vell and then back to meet up with ex Round Table buddy Ian, who was in town before heading off on a cruise. Dinner at Les Quinze Nits again, was just as good.

Monday - walked to the funicular railway up to Montjuic, then took the cable car to the castle at the top. Back for a very long and excellent lunch at El Xalet (where I had a dinner with my former Motorola team in 2005) next to the Olympic diving pools on the side of Montjuic. Walked back down the hill taking in the Olympic stadium, Poble Espanyol and through the Fira de Montjuic without all of the paraphernalia of Mobile World Congress.

Tuesday - a stroll around the city before lunch at Tapa Tapa at maremagnum, overlooking the sea. Back to the hotel, then off to the airport and home.

All in all, despite the worst efforts of Blue1, a great weekend with great friends. I can't wait for next year's!