Much like when I was living in Madrid, it was when people came to visit that I actually got out and saw things. With my parents visiting for several days, I had the perfect excuse to explore some of the national parks that I’ve mentioned in previous posts.

Montserrat

Our first trip was to Montserrat. A very distinctive land mark that I first spotted back in 2004 when Mats, Niki and I came up to Catalunya to watch the World Rally Championship. It truly is a unique looking lump of rock. And what does my family do with big lumps of rock? Climb up them of course. There is a monestery on the mountain, but that was of little iterest for us, so we walked to the highest point (some 1236 Meters up). Ok, we cheated by taking the rack railway up he first 700 meters or so, but it was still a big effort. Well worth it though, for the views alone.

Barcelona

The following day we went for a wander around Barcelona. Standard tourist stuff, but nice all the same. Plaza España, Monjuic, cable car over the port, followed by a great seafood platter down by Barceloneta beach.

La Mola

La Mola is a 1,104 metre summit, located in the easy to remember Parque Natural de Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac, that I’ve been wanting to walk up since I moved here. Given I get my interest in trekking from my parents, it made sense to take them with me, so on the Sunday we did just that. Not as good a day for photos due to the haze, but a great walk all the same.

Three days and lots of walking. Seriously impressed with my parents fitness levels. If I’m as fit as my dad at his age… well, that’s something to aspire to.