Swing Low Sweet Chariot

Last Saturday became quite a series of quests. First was to see if there by any slim chance was somewhere we could watch the football and rugby in nearby Granollers. Darren found out about an Irish bar but we didn't really know where it was. It was tricky to find because it is an upstairs bar with very little downstairs signage. We eventually found a sign which told us that it wasn't open until 6pm (so no football) and would be showing the Spanish football match that night (so no rugby).

As it is only a few Euros to Barcelona we figured we'd take the train and see if we could find anywhere in there - quest number two. We got off the train at Passeig de Gracia which is usefully on Las Ramblas where we felt our best bet at finding either an English pub or an internet cafe would be. After a bit of walking up and down we found our place - the Jules Verne just south of Plaça Catalunya (which was useful as that was where our last train would leave from). We settled down with our pints and watched the football match, then ventured off to find some food. After a little walking "off the beaten track" and not finding anywhere, we resorted back to the tourist trap of Las Ramblas where we had some very average food (future mission - find good tapas in Barcelona).

After our meal we had an hour before the rugby started so we had another wander and came across the fantastic Mercat de la Boqueria just off Las Ramblas. A riot of colour from the fruit and veg and sweet stalls, and a riot of smell from the fish stalls. It all looked amazing though - imagine that being your local supermarket?!

Back to the pub 30 minutes before kick off and it was packed. I was surprised how quiet the rendition of God Save The Queen was until the French national anthem started - the English pub was full of French people! Everyone was friendly with their rivalry though and it was a really good atmosphere throughout the match with many reprised renditions of the La Marseillaise and of Swing Low Sweet Chariot. Of course it was all the better when we won - I think we may be back there this Saturday! I wonder if there will be many South Africans there though...

So to the return journey. Our host's boyfriend had said that he may be able to pick us up from Granollers but in the event he couldn't. There will be a taxi or two around though, surely? Nope! So we ventured back towards the town chatting with three other English travellers who had the same idea as us. We spotted one cab who kindly called another and waited so that none of us got stranded. We're worked out that we can actually stay in a cheap hostel in Barcelona next weekend for less money than the cab, so I think we'll visit Montserrat on Sunday. Hangovers permitting of course...