OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2022 : CANBERRA & SYDNEY : Grandparents’ Days

Grandparents’ Day at Archer’s pre-school

Such a privilege to be welcomed by our very excited 4 year old grandson and to witness the happiness and security he feels in this place.

Meanwhile this week, Archie’s older sister, Dakota (11), has had a busy time with an oral presentation and a Calisthenics performance 

And in Sydney…

Fun at Bilgola Nippers and a Halloween Party

Pippa (8), Harriet (7) and Mitchell (4)

Surf lessons at Palm Beach 

Pippa wins her first race at her school swimming carnival

Koby (8) is playing Oztag 

Indi (2) has spent another session in hospital with a reoccurring chest infection

Trinity Sports Carnival

Koby wins his age race 

Dakota’s Year 5 Graduation

The official photos

Mitchell is cover boy for St Lukes’

M&M

OCTOBER 2022 : SPAIN : Barcelona

Breakfast 4 doors away. Savouring our last day, the weather particularly.

A walk to La Rambla, this time on Carrer Consell de Cent .. some interesting things along the way..

The main Barcelona Market, St Joseph. Our top pick of markets on our tour this year.

We stopped at one of the stalls for elevensies-  oysters and scallops with a little bubbly (cava).



Then we all met at the beach

Lunch nearby

A wander along the Marina and bubbles of a different kind for Olivia, before heading back on the bus.

Pizza for dinner

Happy night!

Until next time!

M&M

PS A lovely welcome home

OCTOBER 2022 : SPAIN : Montserrat

We walked down to Plaza España as all the school children were heading to school.

At Plaza España one of the main landmarks is the large bullring, which is now a large shopping centre.

Our destination today was the Benedictine monastery of Monserrat.



We eventually found the station and our train left at 10.30. A one and a half hour journey.

Monserrat is situated high in the Catalan Pre- Coastal Range - 1,236m above sea level.

First founded in the 1025 and has undergone many changes over the centuries.

80 Benedictine monks reside there.

Impressive views from the onset

There are several modes of transport to arrive at the peak - road, cable car, funicular and rack rail.



A well designed centre with accommodation, shops and restaurants, all below the basilica and the large forecourt.

Olivia had plenty of space to practise her cartwheels



Outside the Basilica

In an internal courtyard we were able to watch a short mass featuring the boys’ choir, an institution here since the 1200s.

Inside the Basilica, including queuing to see the Black Madonna.

Regrouping.

Maugie, John, Claudia and Olivia walked one of the trails and we took an earlier train back.

Home on the 3.15 rack rail and train back to Plaza España.

A little retail therapy in the Arena shopping precinct before catching the bus home. 

Dinner at Casa Amalia, a recommended restaurant, hidden down an alley way, a few blocks from the apartment.

Some very exciting dishes, including pigs’ trotters!

Abdul, our waiter, weaving his magic. He is originally from the Spanish colony of Guinea in Africa.

M&M

OCTOBER 2022 : SPAIN : Barcelona

The rest of the troops were going to a Picasso exhibition and we planned another expedition this time south-east to the beach.

Breakfast on the way - empanadas for a change!

We walked along Carera de la Diputació, where we passed such interesting architecture..

Then on Via Laietana we noticed people gathering down a lane and we discovered the Palau de la Música Catalana, a spectacular concert hall. It was built by Lluis Domènech and finished in 1908.

Although we didn’t go inside the concert hall itself looks amazing!

Nearby is the oldest cathedral built between 1298 and 1460. 

We were drawn to it because of some music was wafting down the alley way. A local band and community members folk dancing.



Around the cathedral precinct - art, food and history.

Along the waterfront - markets, boat shows and tourists just enjoying the sea air.

A luscious dip in the ocean.

Lunch at one of the marina restaurants 



We returned via La Rambla and along  Carrer de la Formentera, passing the Arc de Triomf.

Dinner at Txapela Euskal Taberna

M&M