Ian, Lily and Rowen have to come to visit us in Spain. We are all very sad that abuelo and abuela are not here to see all of frijolito’s adventures. So we decided to post a few videos, just for them. Enjoy!
We couldn’t find a way to be able to play the videos directly on the blog, so when you click the link you are downloading the video file.
It has been 44 years since the Tour de France last stepped so far over the border into Spain as to make it to Barcelona. I felt a little bit like one blessed to see a comet not due to return to earth for many long years. Read the rest of this entry »
What better way to spend Christmas, then a last minute trip to the land of glühwein and music of Mozart. We were sure to stay warm from the liquor and hallucinate from all the twinkling lights. Plus who could resist the grandeur of Viennese cafes. Our favorite, Cafe Sperl, did not let us down.
Read the rest of this entry »
This lovely post got lost in the “Drafts” file. Originally written (and should have been posted) in August ‘08.
Time for another Catalunya adventure, this trip brought to you by: Corrie’s Birthday. A beautiful escapade discovering the small coves of the Costa Brava. Guests stayed at the Odina Hostal and saw such lovely beaches as Fornella, Aiguablava, and Sa Tuna. Get ready readers…here’s….La Costa Brava!
We arrived back safe and sound in our adopted home of Barcelona on the eve of Midsummer. It was a surreal day to return…(you can read about it in – jet lag & san joan) The weather has officially turned to the humid and hot days of July. It was an incredible two weeks and two days of travel around the US…San Francisco, Phoenix, and New York, but I have to say it is nice to be home. We want to thank everyone who entertained, housed, drove, and visited with us. We had a great time! For those people we didn’t have time to see or schedules just didn’t permit, we are sorry and hope maybe “next time”.
 |
 |
 |
In May, a convergence of two events happened upon us here in Spain. Jason’s mother came for a visit and we had the opportunity to take her to visit the Girona Flower Festival. Girona is a beautiful city that sits on the union of two rivers, Ter and Onyar.
 |
 |
Ahh how time flies. Spring fever and your bewitching breeze has had me floating through the months until now. Smacked awake with the hot and humid dog days of summer. Now for a little catch up, back to the past…A wonderful visit from our friend Noel (April 1 – 6) had us renting a car, braving the Spanish roads, and seeing some of the sights of the Costa Brava.
 |
 |
Where does one go when you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and breathe some fresh air? A house in the country sounds good, especially if you can find 8 other people to join in the adventure. A weekend away. After some searching we found the perfect place, beautiful and remote…El Roquer. A traditional Catalan rural casa built in the 16th century and nestled in the mountains around La Garrotxa. You might remember La Garrotxa from my previous post…Yo vs. El Volcán
 |
 |
 |
 |
…usually somewhere between two to three times more than the “fire marshall” would have allowed. It was crazy! There were times when people were packed so tightly that moving became impossible, you merely swapped space with one of your new intimate best friends.
All of these photos came out looking really hazy. I am not sure if it was the camera or maybe just the night….
Before going on a calçotada ‘the popular gastronomical fiesta of Catalunya’ it is important to first work up an appetite. So along with some friends in our Hiking and Outdoors Meetup Group we went for a walk, a stroll to see some 13th century castles.
The first…just outside the town of El Pont d’Armentera (where we soon would be returning for our feast of calçots). The ruins of the tiny village and castle of Selmella.
 |
 |
 |
 |