Barcelona

After taking an over night train from Paris I ended up in Barcelona Spain where I met with a good friend David Rowe. The following few days in Barcelona were amazing these shots don't do it justice but I was having to much fun to care.

Me (Top) and Dave.

Industrial sculpture on the waterfront in Barca.

 

Sulking in front of the wooden sub.

The main beach in Barcelona. The lifeguard tower gives you a good indication of the quality of architecture in the city.

A theatre I believe.

The alleys are what keep cities interesting.

French tile graffiti in Spain.

Nights out in Barcelona were fantastic. You cant eat till 9pm and that is a good thing.

This area is called Plasa El Born. There are some really nice pubs here although people often sit outside on the street buying 1€ beers or 4€ mojitos.

There was one more camera less night in Barca after this before we headed north toward the Pyrénées.

Caen and Paris (France the first time round).

This was my welcome to Caen.

Ok ok so it my have been Bastile day.

These were taken after a night sleeping rough in one of the local parks. Not an experience I recommend.

This is one of the local cathedrals.

Set in a very old castle the modern additions to this museum were superbly done.

Genvieve in a golden field of barley.

This was taken on the road to Falaise.

The most beautiful house in Falaise set right on the moat lake.

Road to the chateau. I forget which king had it built but it seemed fairly grand.

The Chateau.

Windmills always look good. The road to Paris.

The not so flattering self portraits.

Sunflowers have to be one of the most stunning crops you can grow.

Welcome to Paris!

This was a surprisingly wonderful way to greet the city.

Genvieve posing for the tourist shot of the Arc de Triomphe.

Up close.

The tower I am soon to climb.

The second floor. Alright to some.

But the top is where its at.

For those who remember watching Bastien Salabanzi

shred this spot.

A respected graffiti artist who's name escapes me.

At liberty's flame.

Genvieve posing at a vaguely important fountain.

Rose.

Genvieve and me outside the louvre.

If this place was open I think it would have meant the end of my holiday.

Just in one of the palaces.

One of the many parks over looked by a stunning cathedral.

This is the centre Pompidou my favorite place in Paris. The area is buzzing with creativity and life.

There was an exhibition on here by a Japanese artist named Tadashi Kawamata. He constructed several of these bird nest type dwellings on the outside of the museum.

I really enjoyed his work and recommend you look him up.

Some graphic local street art.

This is just a shot I was very happy with. Paris evening on a bicycle.

Some contemporary architecture that took my fancy.

Yes I know the Eiffel tower seen that before.

Notre Dame.

Tourist? Yes.

I didn't make it up the tower in the end as it cost money and would have soaked up my whole day. So I took a photo of this guy to feel better.

Genvieve by the river.

The Yves Saint Laurent exhibition was amazing and gave me a lot of respect for the guy.

The Petite palace.

On leaving Paris I found two of the most amazing bike stores. This vintage one.

And this super fly one.

From here it was on the train to Spain and good times in Barcelona.