Barcelona, Day 3

We started the day with pastries and then did a little shopping, being lazy

 and wandering around before it was time for an early lunch.  On the last trip, we ate at the market, after having gone on a tour with the excellent Aborigens food tour.  It was a fantastic meal -- one of my all time favorites and I was determined to repeat it.  Although the little cafe that we had eaten at was filled with retirees, Chloe scoped out another place:  Joan NOI

which was a fish market WITH A GRILL AND DEEP FRYER RIGHT NEXT TO IT!

Despite being very busy, they were incredibly welcoming and kind.  But the food is spectacular.  If you order something not already in the dairy case, they just walk over to the market side, weigh out cockles, for example, bring them back and cook them.  

Amazing Tuna

Perfectly grilled sweet shrimp (Alex's favorite)

Scallops

Squid, in a light garlic sauce

The freshest cockles I have ever tasted.  Light and subtle, rather than heavy and rubbery

We were all blown away

It was one of my favorite meals ever, particularly being there with Chloe, mom and the kids.  My only regret is that dad wasn't there, because he would have adored it.  Things like this are still hard for me -- I miss him most when I experience things that I know that he would appreciate.

Next, some metro-ing down to the beach, where a pickpocket managed to open mom's purse but not steal her wallet or phone.  Hopefully random credit card charges don't show up later!    The walk to the beach was a bit of a death march, but we eventually made it and the kids loved it.  

I was shocked and appalled to see beautiful Spanish ladies sunbathing topless.  Appalled!  Also worth noting is that there is free wifi on the beach, provided by the city.  After a brief sandwich pit stop near the beach and a Metro ride home, I went for another ride, this time over the hills and then back via another road.  Lovely riding, really, and so close to Barcelona. 

 I've never seen so many people riding bikes.  Some very helpful locals helped me get back to the city after I managed to get lost in the land of roundabouts west of the hills.  Chloe and I had dinner at a nice place near the apartment which specialized in food from Tarragona.  I have to admit that I am not a big fan of Romesco sauce.