The upside of business travel: Barcelona sunshine

I’m in Barcelona right now, for work. I’m here most months these days and over the last year, have fallen a little in love with the place. And Sitges, too!

Yesterday evening, I was able to spend a couple of hours walking around the city. Even at 7p, the sun was still out, it was 30C and not a cloud in the sky. Gorgeous. I retraced an earlier walk, down the Avenguda Diagonal, down the Rambla de Catalunya, round Placa de Catalunya, back up Passeig de Gracia and home via the Diagonal again.

All in all, it was about 6km (according to my Apple Watch) but it passed very quickly and the sunshine was a joy. But after an early start, a long day of work and this walk, I dropped plans to eat out and simply had room service. It was just as well, because bucking all Spanish trends, I was in bed and falling asleep by 9pm.

Right now, I’m back at the airport – where I’m basically on first name terms with the security staff! – waiting for my flight home. Once again taking some time out in the ‘Sala VIP’ (it’s so not ‘VIP’, but the sandwiches are good), looking forward to getting home.

Don’t mistake this for a gripe or a moan. I’m intensely aware that my job takes me to interesting places and the experiences are well worth the travel hassle and the nights away from home. It’s just that sometimes, an evening of Barcelona sunshine is what it takes to remind me of all this.

I could so easily be chained to a desk in an anonymous office, doing something I hate, 40 hours a week. I have the job of my dreams!

I’m back over again in three weeks, and next time I’m extending the visit to take in a weekend back in Sitges. Can’t wait to hit the beaches, wander round town and chill out in the sun again. Summer in London has been disappointing to say the least, so I’m taking every opportunity possible to grab some rays and warmth before the dreaded Autumn arrives.