The week in Barcelona was quite hot and a bit hectic with family outings and such, but Isabel and I had fun and some great food.  Walked a lot, ate a lot....spent time with family a lot.   I bought paint, canvas and a portable easel and so am ready to roll.  We were staying with Isabel's cousin in the Saint Denis district of Barcelona in a high rise apartment building on the 12th floor (where we stayed last January too).  Very spacious and nice with air conditioning, a fantastic view and the Metro nearby.

The masía Aiguabella (beautiful water) Catalan) once the feudal home of a tyrant, now broken into four apartments.

We finally arrived in San Feliu de Pallarols last night by rented car.  The two hours or so from Barcelona by high speed toll road were easy and the landscape quite beautiful.   We are in the Garroxta of Catalunya in the foothills of the Pyrennes about an hour (or less) from the French border, not far from Olot.   It was almost dark when we arrived but we had a light dinner in the little town.  This morning I went for a hike to buy coffee while Isabel rested.  I am relieved to have entered the more productive time here and so am excited to get to work.  Turns out the masía (traditional stone farmhouse), where we are staying—and was recently updated into comfortable apartments—dates from 1100 AD!

(Aiguabella site with a history of the masía)

There will be several local festivals in the next few days, including a Sardana, all in the medieval town square.   There will also be a local feast on Sunday.  I am sure there will be much more happening in August since it is apparently the most touristic month.  Glad we arrived early!