Arwen's meanderings

Hi everyone and welcome to my dinghy cruising blog about my John Welsford designed 'navigator' named Arwen. Built over three years, Arwen was launched in August 2007. She is a standing lug yawl 14' 6" in length. This blog records our dinghy cruising voyages together around the coastal waters of SW England.
Arwen has an associated YouTube channel so visit www.YouTube.com/c/plymouthwelshboy to find our most recent cruises and click subscribe.
On this blog you will find posts about dinghy cruising locations, accounts of our voyages, maintenance tips and 'How to's' ranging from rigging standing lug sails and building galley boxes to using 'anchor buddies' and creating 'pilotage notes'. I hope you find something that inspires you to get out on the water in your boat. Drop us a comment and happy sailing.
Steve and Arwen

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Barcelona

We have walked and walked and walked......around seven or eight miles I think. Through side streets, along wide palm tree lined walkways, under arches, past exquisite hidden courtyards. We've stopped at street corner cafes for coffee, sampled ice creams to die for and soaked up the sun. Barcelona is remarkably empty of tourists. We sauntered around the stunning Casa Batllo where Gaudi designed a building with the sea in mind. The oak wood carving and mouldings were simply sublime carpentry. The missus and I have become overnight Goudi fans......big time. Mosaic dragons, swirly blue glassworks to represent the sea. Amazing. Insufficient superlatives.

Parc Guell was another gem. Strolling with visiting spaniards through ornate gardens with viaducts, terraces and his trade mark mosaic benches , sugarloaf like houses and statues; with stunning views down over the city shimmering in its own heat haze and beyond,  the grey swirling fog banks across the Mediterranean Sea. All under deep blue skies with streaky white high clouds. Simply breathtaking. 

3 comments:

Paul Mullings said...

My wife and I spent 5 days there a couple of years ago...We will return :)

Steve-the-Wargamer said...

Jealous?? Moi??? Yup.. :o)

steve said...

I tell you what Steve.....it's sunshine......what a huge difference it makes. No wonder everyone in the med is remarkably cheerful.........fresh breezes, blue skies and sunshine.........wonderful

Steve