Le Tour de France 2013

I think it is safe to say that I will never have a career as a sports photographer, or even a photographer, however, I have fun trying. the Tour de France was the perfect opportunity to practise my skills, or lack of, and to get our British pride on for the day. We headed out in the early evening to claim our spot along the final stage of the Tour de France as it came into Paris. This year was sort of a special year for the tour because it marked 100 years of its existence! This was more than enough reason to celebrate. I gathered a few friends, we spread our Union Jack along the barriers and took great pleasure of knowing that a Brit was almost certainly about to cycle to victory, much to the annoyance of the surrounding Parisians. (For more information please see Stephen Clarke's book "100 years of annoying the French"). 

We watched the caravan go past first with their advertising floats, passing out sweeties and spraying the spectators with water. This was much appreciated as it happened to be 35 degrees! The floats did a fantastic job in pumping up the crowd, getting us very exciting to see the cyclists who were busy making their way towards the centre of Paris. 

I am not usually a massive sports fan, however I think there is something very special about watching live sports, especially big events such as this. Sport unifies people more than almost anything else and despite rivalry, more often than not, I have found that competition produces friendship, sportsmanship and all round merriment. Nothing is more uplifting than cheering on your team and/or country as well as sharing the moment with those around you. Sports is like a language, it brings people together, despite race, colour, gender or origin and that really is quite marvellous! 

We picked a great place on the Rue de Rivoli so we were able to watch the riders do their ten laps before riding off towards the Arch de Triomph. Waving the flag and shouting encouragement to all competitors, we lost our voices and had the most fantastic time. 

Mood- Bring on le Tour 2014!!!

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Barcelona - Part 3

Our final day in Barcelona came far to quickly, just as I was getting into the holiday mood I was waking up for the final day. After a few too many sangria's the night before we decided that a walk was the best way to clear our heads and a good way to see Barcelona city from above. We started at the Royal Palace which was incredibly impressive as we walked up the steps admiring the many levels of fountains on the way. We enjoyed the cool shade of the surrounding trees and used this moment to soak up the views of the city below, quite an incredible sight to behold. I find that looking down upon a city gives such a good sense of perspective, and especially in Barca when you have fantastic sea views added onto the city-scape. 

After climbing all the way to the top we arrived at the old Olympic park. When I say old, it was nothing compared to the old arenas that I have seen in Athens but nevertheless, after spending an exciting summer at London 2012 I was surprisingly excited to see the park. We were again treated to incredible views and some pretty gardens to have a picnic. 

We then walked to the castle that over looks the bay; we might have got a little lost. Maybe a couple of hours, in boiling heat, with no water, suncream or shade lost. When we finally saw the castle peaking over the hill, it was like a mirage, a sight for weary traveller eyes! I was very pleased to see that this castle was a proper castle, with a moat, a drawbridge and a couple of canons. By this point, however, my mind had fully turned towards ice cream, which was waiting for us at the top of the hill. Delicious. In fact I was so pre-occupied that I forgot to take any photos for a good few hours. 

Before I knew it we were at the bottom of the mountain, having declined the idea of taking the bubble lift, we decided to walk. Still undecided about whether this was a good idea or not. We had time for a last few plates of tapas and a quick sunset swim before we packed our bags and heading back off to Paris. 

It was wonderful to have a nice mini break and to get away from Paris for a few days. But I have an exciting few weeks ahead. So, bring it on! 

Mood - Sad to be leaving

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Barcelona - Part 2

After a relaxing breakfast of croissants and the Spanish version of a pain au chocolat we walked over to the Sagrada Familia, the Guadi style cathedral in the heart of the city. It was interesting to see such a huge monument that is still under construction and yet is built to blend with the city's surroundings. Unlike any other city, Barcelona's architecture is completely unique and there is a surprise around every corner. I could of walked all day taking in the sights and smells but we decided to head to the beach for the afternoon. 

After a year in France I have become completely adapted to speaking french daily and now speak fluently, so it was a bizarre experience for me to be in a country that I cannot even put together the simplest of sentences. Maybe I will now have a little bit more sympathy for the tourists in Paris when they are blocking my path with their maps and ordering the wrong thing in restaurants. Or maybe I should just learn Spanish? 

The beach was absolutely beautiful, if a little crowded and I particularly enjoyed being able to walk directly from city centre down to the sea. Very impressive. I lay in the sunshine, listening to the sound of the lapping waves and digging my toes into the warm sand. 

It was late when we finally decided to find some food and we walked along the shore until we came to a little fish restaurant straight on the beach. I mean, this place was right on the sand, with a view of the boats on the horizon and even a couple of nudists enjoying the last of the evening sunshine. We quickly ordered a big, fresh, seafood paella and the jug, yes a jug, of sangria. Everything was delicious and we couldn't have asked for a better location (minus the nudists). 

Mood- In full holiday mode! 

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