Football and Fountains

Perhaps the most exciting day yet of our visit to Barcelona although it did mean saying goodbye to Sara and Mary as they leave us to return to England for the cheerleading contest in Eastbourne.  They will be staying tonight with my very good friend Peter in Hove - where I often stay when visiting Brighton lodges and chapters.  We all had coffee together at the little coffee shop just round the corner from our hotel before we parted - Sara and Mary to go to the shopping centre out towards Santa Adria and Thom and I to catch the No. 7 bus to Barcelona FC's stadium at Camp Nou, on the complete opposite side of the city to us.  The bus took us through the heart of the city and we saw the other tram routes at the other end of Ave. Diagonal. We had a ten minute walk to the stadium and I was very disappointed not to see some huge edifice on the skyline.  From the outside Camp Nou is most unimpressive and we could have been going to the home ground of Stockport County for all it impressed.  However once inside the story is different.  It seats 98,000 (more than Wembley) and for the most part is open to the elements.  We took the tour and the "Camp Nou Experience" and visited the dressing rooms, chapel, rest rooms, walked through the players' tunnel on to the pitch (well almost); saw the wonderful dug-outs, went into the media room and the post match interview room and sat in the seats in the main stand.  The stadium, apart from the main stand, is uncovered so not a place to visit if the weather is wet or cold. After the tour and a look around the shop we took the bus back to the hotel.  This evening we visited the wonderful Magic Fountain at Espanya (see picture).  The photos I took do not do it justice.  I was amazed at the thousands who came out to see it and the immense number of students dressed in Halloween and other fancy dress.  We stayed and watched the fountain for about an hour before taking the metro back to Glories for a very pleasant dinner of pasta and Gino's.  As I write this, I have just been speaking to Sara, Mary and Peter and all are safe and well in Hove.  Big day tomorrow for Mary in the cheerleading competition. Hope they put up a creditable performance.  Thom and I will pack in the morning when we are feeling less tired.  It's been a long and exciting day today - one to remember with fondness which will take the edge off the nasty day on Tuesday.