Flight to Barcelona

We awoke early this morning in our hotel at Gatwick Airport and rather than eat breakfast there we decided to make our way across to the terminal and enjoy the facilities of the Hospitality Lounge,  After leaving our car at the Long Stay Car Park we took the bus to the North Terminal and after a couple of essential shopping items had been purchased went through security where (as usual) Sara sent off the scanner and had to deliver up a large bottle of contact lens fluid.  This happens every time we travel despite her knowing the rules!  Eventually we made our way to the Departures area and waited in the Hospitality Lounge until our flight was called - enjoying croissants, coffee and other delights. Thom bought himself a set of expensive headphones which he has had his eye on for some time. He is delighted with his purchase.  Our flight left on time (11.40 am) and after a short journey time of only an hour and a half we arrived at Barcelona Airport at around 2.15 p.m. (Spanish time). The weather was bright but cool and breezy - very pleasant for me. We visited the Tourist Information office in the Terminal and after being told that it would be a good idea to buy five-day travel cards at any railway station, we trundled ourselves and our bags all the way to the Airport Station where we were told that we couldn't buy travel cards there but would have to go all the way back to the Tourist Information Office where they could be purchased.  I had to trundle all the way back and join a very long queue from another incoming flight!  Eventually we managed to get on a train  to take us to a station about a quarter of a mile from our hotel.  We walked the short distance through some rather "seedy" area of Barcelona before reaching the hotel.  Here we were told that they only had a reservation for one room not two.  I showed them the paperwork I had and the matter was eventually resolved and we were given two adjacent rooms the larger of which had a good view of the Sagrada Famila (Gaudi's gaudy basilica).  This evening we ate in a small restaurant around the corner from the hotel where Sara had salmon, I had a couple of tapas - shrimps and choritzo and the children burgers,  We were also introduced to the delights of tomatoes and garlic bread.  A good night's rest beckons although the hotel room are quite hot and if the windows are opened we can hear the traffic and the trundling trams