Here we go again...!

Well we're back on the road after a luxury Christmas and New Year at La Taillede. Fine food, fine wine, fine accommodation and very fine company! Thanks to Matt, Ali, Gina, Nige, kids and assorted animals for giving us such a fantastic time. One of the sheep even delivered her darling little lamb 'Helico' (named due to his sticky out ears!) to coincide with our visit! He was a bit too late for our nativity shot on Christmas Day but you can't have everything... We managed a live donkey and stuffed snake! The shot hides the reality of chaotic costume grabbing spontenaity and the worry that food was burning in the kitchen... 

Feels good to be back on the road if a bit cramped... I think our bedroom at La T was bigger than the entire van! January plan is to travel round Spain & Portugal chasing the last of the warmth then back to England end of the month for 3 months to regroup and find jobs. We're all really excited to be coming home for a bit, getting to know our new home in Devon, and the boys literally can't wait to re-join Ivybridge Rugby club... Its all Dougie talks about!! 

First stop, heading into Spain, was Figueres and the Dali museum. What a character he was! The museum was fab and so bizarre that it draws all ages in. Seeing the massive eggs and bread rolls (glad they weren't dog turds!) on the exterior of the building was the first of many 'WOWS'!! 

Without planning it to be so, our first week back on the road has been very arty. From Dali we went to Barcelona where our main focus was Gaudi...another Wowster! 

The only other time I have been to the Segrada Familia was 13 years ago, part of the roof still needed completing and the floor was yet to be laid. It is still a couple of years off the projected completion date but the inside is pretty much there and they had just put the star on the 'Mary Tower' which was stunning. Let's face it the whole thing is mind-blowingly stunning! Talk about ahead of his time... If Dali was on another planet, Gaudi was in another universe! Gaudi was working in Victorian times - Dali was only 22 when Gaudi died. I'm just impressed that people in that day and age had the foresight to invest in his architectural projects... And they can't have been cheap...all those curves! 

After two days of art and travel the boys were flagging...perfect time to visit Nou Camp! Bit over our budget but the boys were so excited. The self-guided tour was good, the museum justifiably stacked with silverware (and balon/boots d'or), and the stadium awe-inspiring even with noone in it!

(Even though he's not there anymore it was good to see plenty of Messi presence...what a legend!) 

However, I think they would both say their highlight was getting to play a bit of sport after in 'Barcaland' just outside the stadium. It seemed to be a community outreach project put on over the Christmas period and was completely free. Aswell as football they had basketball, hockey and general skills, all led by an enthusiastic bunch of young sports people. The slogan of the club, banded everywhere, is 'Mes que un club' (More than a club) and this seemed to fit with our limited experience... Bravo Barca! 

Next stop Andalusia...