The Guggenheim is beyond desciption. The architecture of the building is an aesthetic pleasure in itself, the permanent art collection an added bonus. Although somewhat difficult to get to, Bilbao which has re-invented itself around Gehry’s building, is worth the visit, at least once in a lifetime.

We had lunch in the gastronomic resto in the Guggenheim, www.restauranteguggenheim.com, the food artistically presented as well. We’ve been pleasantly surprised by how inexpensive and good the cuisine has been in Spain, the Basque region particularly.

After a short flight to Barcelona, a city that at first blush has more than a passing resemblance to certainquartiers of Paris, we unpacked for the first time in a week. Met up with Ben and Susie Zarnett and headed to a tapas bar around the corner, turned out, from our hotel. Called Tapas 24, www.carlesabellan.com, it was lined up when we got there around 9:30 and stayed lined-up until we left a few hours later. We had to have one of its specialty items, a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with black truffle spread. Even here, dinner was remarkably inexpensive for the four of us.

We are going to have to get used to the late life, no one seems to dine before 9:30. Considering that that’s when we normally nod off, it will take a little getting used to.

Haven’t got my computer up and running and Sandy’s has a wonky key, so any typos are the computer’s fault and photos still to come.