OK I am HERE! Such a pity there is nobody here to share it with - Sam??? (your would love it). (Steve - you are missing out big time!)

Fairly slow start today (conserving energy) - very nice train journey on TGV only 1.5 hours from Perpignon to Barcelona - not much to see on the way.

Arrived in Barcelona Sants station and thought about getting the metro (briefly) and then decided on a taxi - best 10 Euros I have spent for sure. I actually got an honest guy who wanted to charge me 8 Euros and I gave him a 2 Euro tip and he carried by bags across the road (Le Ramblas) to the hotel for me. I am so pleased with my choice of hotel - this is just perfect. For those in the know, it is about 200m from Placa de Catalunya right on La Ramblas but I have a studio apartment at the back of the building so I look out onto a local square which is just delightful.

Right now (Friday 18.45pm) this is what I see:

A couple of couples sitting on a stone wall very interested in each other;

A (fat) man alone draining his can of ???

An older man with 2 dogs - one of which is trying to mount the other and he is embarrased so he is going to leave shortly

Another part bald man with a moustache staring up at my window ???

A guy in sports gear cycling down the walkway

I can hear some kids having fun in the park

A young dad with his toddler daughter kicking a soccer ball

I have just finished my tapas - was going to eat out but when I got into the Boqueria market (open till 7pm) I just could not resist buying some stuff and then realised that I had better eat in. So on my plate is Serrano ham, manchego cheese, spicy olives, a spicy chlli stuffed with feta, some nuts and a slice of tortilla (potato and onion) that I have been hanging out for. Eat your heart out Steve! Of course I have a nice glass of red from Uzes which I am enjoying after having dragged it all the way here and a small square of dark chocolate to finish off my second glass of red.

I have a little kitchenette here which I am really impressed with - even a mini dishwasher which I have never seen before (and which will be well used). Everything is new and modern and spacious - I honestly could not have chosen better and I think it is excellent value for money at around $AU200 per night.

(The couple on the wall are becoming more amorous - the guy is almost falling off backwards). I think they are about to leave.

Tomorrow I will take a 2 day ticket on the hop on bus as I don't think 1 day will do it. Erika you are so right - I am going to be flat out in the 6 days I have here and looking forward to it.

Keep up with the messages everyone. Wish someone was here!