Paulie and Stephen are renting out La Cachette a few times during 2015 to supplement income. April 18th marked their first "self eviction". After a night staying with Michael, John, and Storm at La Porte Bleue the guys headed south to Spain to see Nick. Their 20 + year old voiture, Tinkerbell, didn't miss a beat and they happily made the 5-6 trip. First Paulie & Stephen got to hang out on the Costa Brava a few days (Elena had some of her Masters contact time to attend on the weekend) and then spent time in Barcelona. They hadn't been there since 2007. They'll be back as they loved seeing the Nick and Elena (when they could- Nick had a heavy teaching load) and thought Barcelona was super cool! They even arrived to some jamming at the cafe outside their Barcelona apartment.
Paulie and Stephen returned home to France and will set off on another "self eviction" for 10 days from May 1st when another French family rent La Cachette and the guys will hang out in (cheap) accommodation nearby to make a few Euro and explore new areas.
April 18 - Paulie & Stephen drive down to Tamariu on the Costa Brava. Hotel Hostalillo Tamariu
|
As requested.... a room with a view
|
...one hell of a view
|
As the sun sets
|
The town takes on another look
|
|
|
|
|
Off for a 3 hour walk. Some rock jumping required
|
Ready, set, go.
|
|
|
After 2 nights in Tamariu, an Airbnb pad's promised views from sea to city
|
Nick's pad can almost be seen back in the hills
|
|
|
Dancing by Familia Sagrada
|
From our window the sun sets...
|
...and rises
|
|
|
At last! Meeting Nick at Barceloneta Metro
|
|
And the local gives us a tour
|
|
|
Into the central (busy) market
|
Where Paulie plays "Where's Wally"
|
|
Wish we caught this on video. As soon as the local cops came by, up went the goods for sale and over the shoulder.
|
A few Gaudi moments
|
|
Busy Nick was teaching each day we were there, so a quick bite and off he goes...
|
So Stephen & Paulie head for more Gaudi-ness at Park Güell
|
|
|
|
|
We meet Elena for the first time
|
|
We must note... NOT their baby! Elena is doing Nanny work whilst finishing her Masters
|
(but mind you... it suits them)
|
The quieter Gracia market in Nick & Elena's neighbourhood
|
|
|
Have to be quicker with the camera- seconds before flames shot up on the road. Then an explosion. A new Citroen caught fire!
|
To Nick's pad in the hills next to Park Güell. We now know why he looks so trim - those hills!
|
Where the views are lovely
|
More Gaudi goodness - the basement stables of Güell Palace
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Days and days of ...
|
walking ...
|
leads to weary evenings
|
Good to see some Spanish official presence
|
... in a Catalonia where many want independence (they have autonomy already. Want, want, want..)
|
Our last day. Abril 23. St Jordi Day (yep. St George as in "George slays the dragon". Perhaps he had a holiday home in Barcelonia?)
|
The crowds follow the tradition ...
|
... of buying a book for the man...
|
... and a rose for the woman.
|
Groups ranging from "Save the Cats of Barcelona" to Gay groups did their thing
|
|
Meeting Elena's sister and kids
|
|
|
|
Nick escorted the guys as they headed back to France.
|
