This morning we took an expeditionary trip of about 4 miles to locate the docks preventing us from getting lost in the morning. We crossed paths with others heading to this cruise ship dragging their temporary homes behind them. We hope to be somewhat smarter and catch the local bus which is closer to our hotel and will save the wheels on our suitcases.

Tomorrow we start our cruise with ports of calls at: Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Napes/Pompeii and Palma Majorca. Arriving back in Barcelona on May 16 at which we pick up a high speed train (with luck) taking us to Malaga in less than 6 hours.

Wi-Fi access may be limited while on board as we have been told that it costs $1/minute and the budget may not be able to take the pressure considering how long it takes to load (strictly operator error).

The volcanic ash from Iceland continues to dog our path but we are maintaining a lead. Today, 19 airports (including Barcelona) were closed.

Two days ago, we experienced a Pakistani/Indian meal in a very small side street which leaded off another smaller side street. We were the only customers in the restaurant and outnumbered by the staff. As we glanced around our surroundings, we found serious reasons to be concerned as to sanitary conditions. The staff giggled a lot but, none the less, bought our meals in a courteous manner. As of writing this, both myself and Maggie are feeling fine so hopefully no dire consequences are pending (fingers crossed) and we will not be re-visiting this restaurant or others comparable to it.

Finally today, I discovered the origin of the strange noise I have been hearing for the last 4 days, foolishly I believed it to locals blowing into a kazoo of some kind producing a high pitched sound. I now know it is green parakeets that inhabit the trees above the Rambla.