30 September 2012, Saturday, Barceloneta

We are sitting on the sand at a table under an umbrella 70 feet from the blue water of the Mediterranean Sea at Barceloneta Beach. Roland is with us. He arrived last night from Los Angeles.

Since we are at the sea we chose to eat seafood. The tastiest mussels. Plump. Orange. Glistening with fresh sea water in the shells. Sardines. Catch of the day. Lightly grilled with coarse salt. Sweet and fleshy. The ever present Pimientos de Padron, sauteed and salted. Leeks. Slow braised till tender enough to cut with a fork. On a bed of Jamon Iberico and sprinkled with fresh roasted hazelnuts.  

We washed it down with Cava, Catalunya's version of Champagne. A blend of three Spanish grapes: 1)Xarel-lo, for flavor and strength; 2)Macabeo, adds acidity and freshness; and 3)Parellada, adds aroma and creamy softness. More than you need to know about Cava, but here's more. Until 1986 when Spain entered the European Union, cava in Catalunya was called Xampàn. The French made them change it. Cava refers to the caves the wine is stored in. And 95% of Spains Cava comes from Catalunya. (Pardon my long-windedness).

We pedaled here. It is a perfect day for cycling. After two days of rain the sky is intensely blue. The light is clear and sparkling. The temperature, about 70-something. The waves splashing so close by are tempting. But last week we spent two days on the beach. On the sand. In chaises. Dipping in the water for refreshment.

 Our restaurant today is "Ca la Nuri". In Catalan: House of Nuri. It is a few feet away from the large copper sculpture by Frank Gehry that people call "the fish". But really to me, up close, looks like a conquistador's helmet. At this moment my table mates have abandoned me for the bicycles.

Signing off from Barceloneta. Marlow. 3:00 p.m. 30 September 2012. Saturday.