Barcelona

We landed a little late on Friday, so it was a mad dash to meet our friend Maxi who was collecting us from the airport and driving us to town to catch a show.  It was not just a mad dash to get there for the start of the show but Maxi also had 2 shows to do that evening.

So, before we had even checked in to the hotel we were in the street watching ‘The Incredible Box’ by Cia La Tal.  A totally mad bonkers show that I absolutely loved. Wonderful characters and just total chaos of the best kind.  It made me laugh a lot.

We then had a great evening and meal catching up with old friends and making new ones before we finally made it back to the hotel.  We were staying in the Ramblas because it was nearish to the Circus and I chose the Hotel ‘Chic and Basic’ because it had a car in the reception.  The hotel was nice, though it was a bit odd as the room had a small kitchenette but nothing to use in it.  We also had a balcony which was really nice, especially as we had good weather. 

The next morning, we realised Barcelona took a while to wake so it was easier to have breakfast at the hotel and it wasn’t too bad and had options for me which is all good.  All the food places on my list to visit didn’t open till later in the day.

Today we spent exploring with a couple of shops on our list to visit.  One was ‘El rei de la Magia’ which calls its self The Oldest Magic Shop in the World and has been open since 1881.  When we went in there was a magic workshop taking place out the back with a bunch of kids.  Near the magic shop was an interesting mask shop.  We also visited a circus/juggling shop but had a bit of trouble finding it as I got distracted by street art.  Of course, just wandering around with a couple of shops as your destination you find lots of other interesting stuff.

We also headed to The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art as there is a Keith Haring mural outside it.  Though it is not the original as that was somewhere else and it was redone here. 

We had lunch just around the corner at Vegetalia and I had a lovely Paella, which was really filling.  They have a few restaurants in the city.

We waited in line for ages to go on the cable car from the port up to Torre de Miramar on Montjuic Mountain.  The view was pretty good from up there, but it wasn’t really worth the wait and we realised once we got to the mountain it wasn't a long walk from the hotel.  We would have been better off just walking up to see the view.  There was possibly another cable car that took you further up the mountain but we didn’t have time to hunt it down.

I loved the architecture here and you really do need to spend a good deal of time looking up or you miss some wonderful sights.  Some elaborate and some just a little strange

One of the main buildings people visit and, on my list, to see was La Sagrads Familia which has been in construction since 1892 and is still not complete.  I had seen photos of it before I went but I was totally blown away by it.  Around every corner you were left just stood, shaking your head.  If I visit again, I would make time to go inside as I can’t even begin to imagine what it is like inside.  It is also hard to really describe in words that make sense.  A massive cathedral that is different at every turn and looks like there has been little or no planning, just pop another random bit here and then add a big Christmas tree near the top.

Ohla Barcelona Hotel is covered in loads of ceramic eyeballs.

The main reason we went to Barcelona was to see Circo Raluy Legacy #TheMagicFormula.  They had been at Port Vell for 3 months and this was their last weekend.  It really is a wonderful show and you fall in love with it even before you step foot inside.  All the vehicles and wagons seem authentic and old with amazing art work on everyone.  It really makes you feel like you have stepped back in time.  If you ever get a chance to see this show you must go.  

After the circus we grabbed some burritos just across the road at the Carabela Cafe.  Cheap and cheerful and full of flavor.  Nice place with great service.

Barcelona is great for street art and you can see lots just wandering around.  Before we came, I found a self-guided walking tour of Poblenou which took a while to get going but was great once you did and we even saw a few works in progress.  I guess this area is popular with street artists as there seemed to be a lot of abandoned buildings and boarded up areas. 

We weren’t to far from the beach so had a wander down. It felt like we should at least make a visit as we were so close, and it is a pretty good beach if you are into beaches. By this time, we had been wandering a long time and I really needed a wee and this is when we realized that there are very few public toilets even in a largely populated area like the beach.

Another place that was good for street art with a great atmosphere was ‘The Three Chimneys Urban Park’ which wasn’t far from our hotel and you could see the chimneys from our balcony.  It is also one of the city’s only purpose-built graffiti parks so the art changes often.  There was also a lot of street food here, but I opted to get cookies and desert from across the road at Avocados café.

Lunch was at Enjoy Vegan which had lots of choice and good food but was quite small and very popular so there was a bit of a wait to order, then be served and even to pay, but it was all good as we weren’t in a hurry.  I even got gluten free cake to take away for later, except I ate it as soon as we got out the shop.

Our third night and we had another show to go to, recommended by our friend and having only been in Barcelona for a couple of days met someone we had met on the first day.  It was like we were locals already.  This was a small venue called Espai Piluso and a mixed show of various clown and circus skills.

Then totally stumbled across a great vegan/veggie tapas/burger place on the way home called the Jonny Aldana Bar.  It wasn’t even on my list and it did a great setein burger. I’m glad we found it late as it was small and there were only a few people seated.  I expect it would be quite busy during the day.  When I looked it up (on happy cow) it states it has vegan options which is maybe why it didn’t stand out for me but the only things I saw that weren’t vegan were cheese option for the burgers and the brownies.

There were many food places on my list that we just didn’t have time to visit.  Generally, I plan my visits to new places around food.  I like food.

I was sad we didn’t make it to Cat Bar, it sounded like the sort of place I would like (a punk vegan burger place) and this was confirmed even from the outside when it was closed, maybe if we visit again. 

We left early Monday morning to head to the airport so hadn’t had a chance to get anything to eat.  Airports can generally be a bit pants to find anything vegan and decent, but I was pleasantly surprised.  Before you go through passport control there is a food court that makes a lot of things from scratch.  So even though not advertised as such they can make things for you if asked.  I opted for fill a bowl up with various salads.  All were vegan except one which had feta.

Barcelona is a pretty big city with lots of different areas to explore. We were here for such a short time we really didn’t see that much and a lot of the time we did have we spent with friends which was nice.  I would like to visit again as there were so many things and places we didn’t manage to get to. Park Guell would be number one on the return visit list.

Tasty Tuesday

After moving to Cheltenham I became a more regular shopper at Wholefoods.  Before when it was a half hour away I would always pop in if I were in Cheltenham for another reason and occasionally even made the trip especially.  After spending 2 years in America and falling in love with the company over there I was really excited when I heard there would be one opening within driving distance.  At that time I did not know there were seven in London (actually there may have only been six at that point) and one in Glasgow.

After the move I could actually walk there, though this had nothing to do with the location of the house we bought (honest). There is a lot more to Wholefoods though than just food shopping and I even managed to attend a few workshops at the Acorn Centre. Though a favourite event was around the store in the form of Tasty Tuesday which we became regulars at.  Five 'sample' dishes paired with 5 wines (or 5 soft drinks) for £5.

We hadn't been for a while since Willow had become Vegetarian and often there would be something with meat, though to be fair even when we did go and there was she just gave it to me.This month though the theme (yes there is usually a theme) was Veggie Mexican so we booked for the first time in a while.

It really is a good night, with a great atmosphere and of course lovely food.  The dishes are either cooked from scratch and there are often recipes for you to take if you wish and of course the ingredients you would need to recreate it or sometimes it is something straight of the shelf that you may not have tried before and can just put straight in to your basket.  I discovered Amy's Chilli this way and it is now a firm favourite in our home. 

This month we had the delights of Sweet Potato and Pomegranate Tagine, Moroccan Couscous with Khobez flat bread, Bean Tagine with Harissa and Coriander, Vanilla Ice Cream with Pistachios and Honey and Moroccan Goats cheese with Crispy Bread. So many amazing flavours and difficult to say which was my favourite.

They have a Tasty Tuesday every second Tuesday in the month and you can book for Julys here. They often sell out so don't leave it to late.

*After living in Cheltenham for 6 months I managed to get a job at Wholefoods. The above is a non biased opinion as I was a regular Tasty Tuesday Customer before my employment started

An Interview with Tweedy

An interview with Tweedy about the new Giffords Circus show, 'The Thunders' by Michael Hasted.

Check out dates at Giffords Circus

Giffords Circus - Lucky 13

This years Giffords Circus season has begun and is now in its second week at Pittville Gardens in Cheltenham.  Here is quick glimps at this years show.  (spoiler alert)

Star Bistro

For ages I have wanted to go to The Star Bistro in Ullenwood, which is a joint venture by The Wiggly Worm team (a charity that works amongst the vulnerable, disadvantaged or seldom heard) and the students from the National Star College (specialist further education college for people with disabilities).  They have recently got through to the finals on Food Glorious Food on ITV1 with their Pimm’s Jelly, fingers crossed they win.

Today we finally managed to go and I really hope we go again soon.  Not only because the food we had was lovely and the place is great but the menu is so good, I was torn what to choose.  So I need to go back and try the other things I like the look of.

I had Butternut Squash Risotto and Tweedy had Confit Duck.  I really wanted to try the Mussels, Chilled Poached Salmon with Cucumber Salad and the Seared Bavette Steak.  There were so many amazing sounding dishes on the menu.

Photo taken from Star Bistro’s FaceBook page

Tweedy really isn't in to food that much.  To him it is fuel he needs to make him function and often forgets to eat and only remembers when he gets dizzy.  He generally eats out because I love good food and if I ask him how his was he normally shrugs and says “It was OK”, but even he said his duck was full of so many flavours. 

I can’t recommend The Star Bistro enough; it is great on so many levels.