Crazy in Catalonia

Those crazy Catalonians just love having fun. Guess what they do just for kicks on a Sunday? They make human pyramids seven people high, then get a little kid to climb to the very top of the pile to give the four-fingered salute. Human towers, known as castells, are said to be as much a part of Catalan culture as the architecture of Antoni Gaudí and FC Barcelona. Apparently anyone passionate and committed can become a casteller. Profession, age, and gender are irrelevant. The clubs are said to be great equalizers. Fitzy & Alan W came across this spectacle the other day. 

 It was good to be back in Barcelona as we enjoyed our time here ten years ago. Once again we managed to get prime position at Real Club Nautico, just a skip & a hop to the club. We visited the obligatory sights like La Boqueria market, the Sagrada Familia, where you can peer into the workshop and see the craftsmen beavering away, and various other fabulous works of Gaudi. Toured around the Barri Gotic (old quarter) and played the tourist, jumping on and off the bus that tours all over the city and out to the hills. Also caught up with Robin A and some of her medico friends for a couple of lovely dinners.

 We are now in the land of the baguette, having picked our weather window for an uneventful crossing of the Golf di Lion. Our destination in France was an area known as Les Calanques, a stretch of coast near Cassis with steep-sided limestone coves, a bit like fjords. Cassis is a pretty town with a waterfront crammed with restaurants and a tiny pebble beach where you can rent your own beach bed. More tomfoolery here too – jousting sticks on water in fishing boats no less! Hope all is good with you and yours. Au revoir for now.