Dates: 10-12 June 2009.

For my 30th birthday Liz and I spent a few days in Barcelona, and we arrived late afternoon.

Shirt looks a bit tight:

The Columbus Monument and the Edificio Colón:

First full day and a visit to the home of FC Barcelona, Camp Nou. Sadly, no time for a tour:

Views from outside of the city near the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with La Sagrada Familia visible in the distance:

Back in the city centre, the funky-looking La Pedrera-Casa Milà:

Curious architecture:

No trip to Barcelona would be complete without visiting the permanently unfinished La Sagrada Familia:

Barcelona’s man-made beach:

Liz made a new friend:

Fun at the Parc de Recerca Biomèdica:

Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona (I wonder what that translates as…):

The next day we headed up to the 17th century hilltop fortress, Montjuïc Castle, for views of Barcelona and its port:

Nice gun…

Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium that hosted the 1992 Olympics, now the home of RCD Espanyol de Barcelona:

That famous torch that was lit with a flaming arrow:

Monument to Francesc Macià, one of Cataluña’s greatest sons:

The city at dusk:

The “Magic Fountain of Montjuïc” in front of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya:

A very brief city break comes to an end the next day, via the Plaça d’Espanya

Sad to leave: