Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to explore

[Flying mermaid]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

Ce soir. Raclette. Not a green to be seen
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Et creme brulee
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We have a raclette machine (electric) - love it. But yes supposed to be eaten with pickles rather than the healthy stuff

 

[Julesmac]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

I have always found the French people to be friendly and willing to help even when my school girl use of their language must be eye-wateringly awful.

I ran into my 6th form French mistress after about 30 years and was delighted to let her know that despite all the swotting over regular and irregular verbs and other homework, remembering all the words to "Frere Jacques", and whether "Le plume de ma tante" was "sur le bureau de mon oncle" NONE of it did me a blind bit of good at all when needing directions or desperately wanting a loo....I have learnt to say, in a very good accent - I'm sorry, I only speak a very little French(or Italian) and very badly. I am Australian. Makes em laugh and go off into screeds of unintelligible words.

 

[Pushka]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

Je parle une peux la francaise (female). At the train station now - Gare Lyon. Have already been approached by 3 people begging. Nyet seems to work - run out of coins.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

I ran into my 6th form French mistress after about 30 years and was delighted to let her know that despite all the swotting over regular and irregular verbs and other homework, remembering all the words to "Frere Jacques", and whether "Le plume de ma tante" was "sur le bureau de mon oncle" NONE of it did me a blind bit of good at all when needing directions or desperately wanting a loo....I have learnt to say, in a very good accent - I'm sorry, I only speak a very little French(or Italian) and very badly. I am Australian. Makes em laugh and go off into screeds of unintelligible words.

Just remember the phrase "Je suis un Rock Star. Tu es un teapot." With respect to Bill Wyman.

 

[Julesmac]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

Now MrMac has come in to see what all my groaning is about. So many happy memories of our trips to Paris and most especially of the food. cough indeed!

 

[TomVexille]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

Ah the inventive parking. That is something I definitely remember from Paris

 

[Pushka]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

The six hour train Paris to Barcelona was excellent and better than flying :eek. Can I even say that here? Quite fast and quiet.

 

[Pushka]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp


We arrived into our hotel - H10 at Port Vell. Very new and funky
First and last sangria



Had an awful meal on La Ramblas. I know but we were tired. MrP currently writing a review on Trip Advisor.

 

[TomVexille]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

The six hour train Paris to Barcelona was excellent and better than flying :eek. Can I even say that here? Quite fast and quiet.

Some of us will forgive you

 

[Pushka]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

Ole
Night view from our hotel rooftop.

Any (included) hotel breakfast that includes cava is a winner for me

And pink grapefruit

And delish after our coughpy meal last night


MrP will most likely spend some time on the rooftop pool area doing less important things like work and listening to the Test match. I will hit the streets doing very important things like shopping.

 

[love_the_life]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

Pop down to the food market in the city - it's quite good and from memory there is a chocolate shop around there somewhere as well. You might need a bit of quality assurance testing

 

[TheRealTMA]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

MrP will most likely spend some time on the rooftop pool area doing less important things like work and listening to the Test match. I will hit the streets doing very important things like shopping.

Excellent pics but don't get carried away. Few things are more important than listening to the test match!

 

[Pushka]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

Excellent pics but don't get carried away. Few things are more important than listening to the test match!

Especially when its raining there

 

[Pushka]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

Interesting day of cricket that. Even I was interested, but not enough to abandon any plans.

The market. I avoid any wet areas but this seemed safe.


Silver cachous

Even Marilyn was out and about doing her thing

And this is the plaza where we will be dining tonight. Much better.

 

[Pushka]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

There was a demo going on in Placa Catalunya. Have no idea what for but probably austerity. Good for me as it closed off the roads for traffic. But caused issues for the Big Red Bus

 

[Pushka]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

Enjoyable dinner at Plaka Reial. Tapas plates and a bottle of Spanish wine.

The Africans just as in Paris are evident in the black market. They sell the handbags, shoes and sunnies. They work in shifts, one packs up and the next group arrives.

In the Plaka tonight this energetic group were working their way around the square.


We noticed one guy stop performing and start looking around. Suddenly in mid performance they just stopped and melted into the crowd.
These guys had arrived

I wanted to give them a few coins so I followed one of them back into the restaurant. Asked him if he was hiding - he nodded.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

If you have time there is a history of Catalonia museum - down near the water and easy walking from the centre area. It was a history of that area through the ages and very well put together. Took the kids there 15 years ago and they really enjoyed it.

ps just looked it up and it is Port Vell so probably not far from you!

 

[Pushka]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

Groan. Been advised the current cruise has a gastro outbreak so a deep clean needed before we can board.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

Groan. Been advised the current cruise has a gastro outbreak so a deep clean needed before we can board.

Bad luck - hopefully clean is successful!

 

[love_the_life]

Re: Chasing the lads in Lycra down the Champs Elysees - and other fancy places to exp

That probably means a delayed boarding (and everyone trying to get on at the same time). Not fun. Hope it's sorted soon. Not sure about how good those 'deep cleans' actually are. If it's Noro that's a virus so needs more than a little anti-bac sponge down.

The city market in Barcelona is good. I forgot you don't do wet areas, but still lots of lovely food stalls to see.