As you explore the wonderful city of Barcelona, no doubt you will have heard of Parc de la Ciutadella or Citadel Park. If not, you are sure to stumble across it as you wander.
As I was en route back to my hotel after a long day sightseeing, I only skirted the outskirts of this lovely park, but I liked what I saw and when I get back to Barcelona, I will take more time to explore it.
The wide promenade of Passeig de Lluís Companys is where the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia is located.
At the north-western end of the promenade, you’ll find the Arc de Triomf – a spectacular archway which was the main access to the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. The words Barcelona rep les nacions (“Barcelona welcomes the nations”) is sculpted on the top (Wikipedia).
There are other impressive buildings (if you like that sort of thing) such as the castle-shaped Castle of the Three Dragons, built for use as an exhibition space for the 1888 World Fair (Wikipedia).
There is also a tropical garden, created by architect Josep Fontsére.
And , of course, you’ll also find lots of people enjoying the park. Some relaxing or exercising or, like you, exploring.
If you get to Barcelona anytime soon, head to Parc de la Cuitadella for a peaceful couple of hours. I’ll be doing exactly that!
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
I headed off to Barcelona just in time! It was February 2020 and there was talk of a virus. I wasn’t sure whether I should cancel but, in the end, I decided to go – and I was happy I did! I (we) didn’t know then, that travelling would be banned in the coming months!
I really want to do more exploring in Spain because the few places I have been, I have simply loved. And Barcelona was no exception.
Let’s take a walk around the city.
I stayed in the Hotel del Mar on Pla de Palau, 19, 08003, housed in this beautiful building with its colonnade of columns. It’s a great location too – near the port and the Gothic Quarter.
There are lots of fabulous buildings in Barcelona.
And street art too.
If you walk away from the centre, the streets are almost empty – a pleasant change from the busier areas.
You may see what looks like a familiar building too – this one looks like the Gherkin in London. There is also one in Bangkok.
Head along La Rambla..
..towards Plaça de Catalunya where people stop for a breather or to enjoy each other’s company.
Turn back along La Rambla and browse the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria or La Boqueria – sadly closed on the day I wandered past.
Or stop for a coffee at Cafe el Magnifico.
Turn off any of the streets from La Rambla and you’ll find lovely little plazas.
Head back onto La Rambla towards Port Vell.
Or, go to the beach for a sundowner cocktail or to feel the sand between your toes.
If you’re like me, you’ll research things you want to see, but you could simply go where your feet take you – it’s a beautiful city to explore.
And, if you have a sharp eye, you’ll see pretty birds in the trees around you!
We all have plans in life – whether that’s going on holiday, buying a car or a house, going abroad to live or buying the latest fashion – but most of the things we wish for cost money!
Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had a money tree which provided us with the funds to do what we wanted? I have a money tree at home and, unfortunately, the funds are still not materialising.
Living costs too are so expensive – ever increasing bills and prices makes it very difficult to save anything.
But, there are ways – small changes you can make – to save money for something big.
Make a list of your outgoings and whatever you have left that’s your spending money. Transfer that to a separate bank account and that’s how much you have to spend each month. This strategy works for me because I know that I have enough money for bills and I can easily see what I am spending my money on.
Depending on how much spending money you have each month, work out how much you have on a weekly basis. If you don’t spend it all, transfer it to a savings account each week.
However tempting this might be, try not to dip into your savings. You have worked hard to build it up. There are many times when I have thought to myself, “oh well it’s only £20,” but that’s the danger – before you know it, that £20 has turned into £100.
Remind yourself why you are trying to save money, regularly, and if you are tempted to buy things such as new clothes or magazines, ask yourself, do you really need the thing you are about to buy? I almost guarantee that your answer will be “no.”
This depends on whether you have enough time to fit extra work in, but if saving for something big is your main goal, then getting a part time job might work for you. I sometimes write in my spare time and the extra income is very welcome.
When I was saving to return to Thailand a few years ago, I sacrificed many nights out and became a bit of a recluse, preferring to stay in rather than going out all the time. I made saving my priority because I knew I really wanted to travel and settle abroad again.
This is the one I struggle with the most! Being in debt is stressful and it can be impossible to save anything when your credit card bill is looming every month. Cut those cards up! Resist spending that £20! Do your best to reduce your debt! That way, you’ll have money to put aside for that important plan in your life.
When I was moving back to Thailand, I sold books, DVDs and CDs on Music Magpie. The items have to be in pristine condition and you won’t earn that much, but it’s a simple and easy way to raise cash (even a small amount will help). These days, there are other many other ways to sell your stuff – EBay, car boot sales, Facebook marketplace – you just have to choose the most suitable way for you.
If you are able to save even the smallest amount of money, it’ll do wonders for your motivation (and stress levels) and you will be one step closer to making your plans a reality!
I don’t purport to be an expert on any of these topics, I just want to share some of the things that have worked (or are working) for me.
Being a popular tourist destination, Bruges is always packed with people. In spite of this, it’s possible to find pockets of the city bereft of the hustle and bustle!
It was really peaceful meandering through these empty streets without having to share it with anyone else!
Another post full of fabulous street life, this time in Bruges.
On the way from the train station along Oostmeers seems to be the way most people walk to and from the centre of Bruges..
The Markt is always full of people.
Whether they are enjoying the lovely buildings that surround the market..
..shopping at the market stalls..
..doing a spot of sightseeing at the Belfry..
..or exploring the city by horse and carriage..
There are people shopping along Steenstraat..
..Braambergstraat – another lovely cobbled street..
..and Sint-Jakobsstraat..
Not far away is Huidenvettersplein, near to the Vismarkt (fish market), with people milling around this little square..
Over the bridge and along Blinde-Ezelstraat into the Burg, people are making a beeline for one of Bruges’ attractions – the Basilica of the Holy Blood..
Near the Poortersloge is a popular place for taking photos..
I hope you enjoyed a little people watching with me in Bruges. If you’ve been to Bruges, you’ll know it is a perfect place to spend a day, wandering around seeing all it has to offer. If you’ve never been, I recommended a visit – you will not be disappointed.
