A few hours yesterday wasn't enough and as I was ahead of my 12 day schedule I've stopped another day in Barcelona.

I decided this morning and booked another night in the hostel, just before sitting down to the continental breakfast that's included with the room, or should I say bunk-bed. Ham & salami sandwich, coco pops, a chocolate donut and half an apple seemed a strange combination but it was all nice and would set me up for trekking around the city.

Just like yesterday evening I just wore my casual clothes. The bike had been fine tucked away at the side of one of the hostel buildings closest to my room. Before setting off it was time to clean the bike and the hostel facilities didn't lack. With hot water and soap in the toilets and an outside tap, the bike was soon back to its gleaming best. I took a photo in appreciation. I programmed the SatNav to a below ground carpark next to where I parked last night. Yesterday it took the fastest route which had a toll, but I'd noticed looking at a map last night there was a twisty mountain road so I chose that route instead. This made the short ride interesting chucking the bike from side to side in first gear hairpins. I had to be careful not to hang off too much as didn't want my jeans touching the ground!

In Barcelona I parked up in the underground multistorey car park. Very few Spanish locals pay to park as they're happy to leave their 'motos' on the pavements and in the free bays on the streets but as I was going to be leaving it all day I didn't mind spending a few euros to have it somewhere secure. I parked up next to a very clean and well kept BMW R1200R.

It was only 10.30am so I had several hours to see some sights. I'd seen the Cathedral De Santa Maria and Cathedral of Barcelona yesterday. Today I headed first to the Parc de la Cuitadella for an hour, then walked to see the Sagrada Familia. Then Caso Batiló, Catalonia Square then down to the beach via the harbour and a shop to buy a can of San Miguel lager to have on the beach. The wind had picked up and the waves were crashing in, still quite a few people in the surf. I wanted to join them but with no towel, swimming shorts or anywhere to keep my valuables safe, I had to resist the azure waters.

Big dark clouds had amassed and light spots of rain fell. I sat on a bench looking out to the sea and enjoyed my can of lager, I had to drink it discreetly to avoid any trouble from the Guardia Civil.

Out to sea I could see the rain approaching. I expected a short heavy shower and started to wander back into town. As the heavy rain began I was able to seek shelter under a hotel car port / overhang. 

It rained, and it rained. Bouncing it down for over two hours. I ended up falling asleep sat against the wall for an hour. Around 6pm it eased off and checking my phone the forecast predicted a two hour window before more rain was likely to fall. Time for tea and to get back to the hostel.

I'd seen a restaurant with a tasty looking mixed grill, and it didn't disappoint. I think the waiter thought I wouldn't be able to tackle the huge plate but I showed him! Every last bit consumed.  

Back to the bike which had been kept nice and dry. I programmed the twisty route back to the hostel, the roads had started to dry but with the damp patches the short journey back was treacherous, I'd read warnings about the lack of friction provided by the Spanish white lane road marking paint and it rang true. But I kept it all in one piece and arrived back to the hostel before it rained again.

I'd seen the forecast showing more rain in Barcelona tomorrow morning, almost certainly by the afternoon, but the forecast for Valencia was dry, so I'll look to choose somewhere to stop in Valencia for tomorrow and head that way after my hostel breakfast in the morning.